YSZ-based mixed potential type acetone gas sensor attached with CuSb2O6 sensing electrode for ketosis diagnosis

Abstract

Acetone in exhaled breath can be employed as a diabetic-specific biomarker for noninvasive, painless, quick and in-house screening of diabetes. Herein, a mixed potential type acetone gas sensor using yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and CuSb 2 O 6 sensing electrode (SE) was manufactured. The sensitivities of the sensor to 0.2–5 ppm acetone and 5–200 ppm acetone were − 24.9 mV/decade and − 76.2 mV/decade at 680 °C. The response time for 10 ppm acetone of the sensor was only 3 s and the recovery time was 17 s. The sensor also displayed good repeatability, long-term stability, reliability and selectivity. It was worth noting that the response value of the sensor increased with the increase of relative humidity (RH) value, which could be account for the increase of acetone gas concentration and electrochemical reaction rate at TPB. Moreover, the sensor could realize the distinction between the diabetic ketosis patients and non-ketotic volunteers by the response values of the sensor in the clinical breath detection, proving its potential in the field of ketosis diagnosis. • CuSb 2 O 6 material is used as sensing electrode to fabricate a mixed potential type YSZ-based acetone sensor. • The sensor with CuSb 2 O 6 -SE exhibits high sensitivity, response and recovery speed and selectivity to acetone at 680 °C. • The acetone gas concentration and electrochemical reaction rate at TPB increased with the increase of RH. • The sensor could also realize the distinction between the diabetic ketosis patients and non-ketotic volunteers.