UV-promoted NH3 sensor based on Ti3C2Tx/TiO2/ graphene sandwich structure with ultrasensitive RT sensing performances for human health detection

Abstract

Gases produced by human respiration can effectively forewarn physiological health, and developing high-performance gas sensors for breath detection can help in the early diagnosis of many diseases. In this paper, Ti3C2Tx/TiO2/graphene composite with a unique sandwich structure was fabricated by hydrothermal method for resistive NH3 sensor, which is composed of the staggered interlayer of graphene, Ti3C2Tx, and in situ grown TiO2 nanosheets. The results indicate that the Ti3C2Tx/TiO2/graphene composite sensor has a response value of 35.8 at 50 ppm NH3 at room temperature and in a dark environment, which is 12.8 times higher than that of the single Ti3C2Tx and can detect dilute NH3 at ppb level with a calculated limit of 26 ppb. The sensor also possesses a fast response/recovery time of 19/29 s and excellent humidity resistance. Furthermore, with the assistance of UV illumination, the sensor response value for 50 ppm NH3 is increased to 45.18, the response/recovery time is accelerated to 18/25 s, and the calculated limit of detection is 22.23 ppb. Additionally, simulated breath detection demonstrates the potential application of the sensor for early respiratory warning in patients with renal failure. Finally, the NH3 gas sensing mechanism is discussed in terms of heterogeneous structure, morphology promotion, and energy band theory. It is believed that the sensing material with this structure has great potential for human health applications.