Enhanced gas sensing performance of perovskite YFe_1- Mn O₃ by doping manganese ions

Perovskite YFe_1- Mn O₃ with a hierarchical structure were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method and used as gas sensing materials. The structure, morphology and composition of YFe_1- Mn O₃ were investigated using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The gas sensing test showed that all YFe_1- Mn O₃ perovskites with different Mn doping concentrations displayed fast response and recovery characteristics to multiple analytes as well as good stability and recoverability. With the increase of Mn doping concentration, the response of YFe_1- Mn O₃ to four kinds of target atmospheres first increases, then decreases. The sensing performance of YFe_1- Mn O₃ is best when x = 0.05. Compared with pure YFeO₃, the responses of YFe_0.95Mn_0.05O₃ to 1000 ppm of CH₂O, C₂H₆O, H₂O₂ and 100% relative humidity were increased by 835%, 1462%, 812% and 801%, respectively. The theoretical detection limit of YFe_0.95Mn_0.05O₃ for H₂O₂ and CH₂O is 1.75 and 2.55 ppb, respectively. Furthermore, the possibility of buildings a sensor array based on YFe_1- Mn O₃ with different doping concentrations was evaluated by principal component analysis and radar chart analysis. It is feasible to realize the visual and discriminative detection of the target analyte by constructing sensor arrays through radar chart analysis and database construction.