A dimethyl disulfide gas sensor based on nanosized Pt-loaded tetrakaidecahedralα-Fe₂O₃nanocrystals

Surface modification by employing precious metals is one of the most effective ways to improve the gas-sensing performance of metal oxide semiconductors. Pureα-Fe₂O₃nanoparticles and Pt-modifiedα-Fe₂O₃nanoparticles were prepared sequentially using a rather simple hydrothermal synthesis and impregnation method. Compared with the originalα-Fe₂O₃nanomaterials, the Pt-α-Fe₂O₃nanocomposite sensor shows a higher response value (R_a/R_g = 58.6) and a shorter response/recovery time (1 s/168 s) to 100 ppm dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) gas at 375 °C. In addition, it has better selectivity to DMDS gas with the value of more than 9 times higher than the other target gases at 375 °C. This study indicates that the Pt-α-Fe₂O₃nanoparticle sensor has good prospects and can be used as a low-cost and effective DMDS gas sensor.