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Pd nanoparticles-functionalized In2O3 based gas sensor for highly selective detection of toluene
LeLe Ma1, Yongcun Zou2, Qingge Feng1
1School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China; State Key Laboratory of Featured Metal Materials and Life-cycle Safety for Composite Structures, and School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection (Guangxi University), Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi, Nanning, 530004, China.
Highly selective toluene detection is crucial for human health and environmental safety. Palladium-loaded indium oxide nanospheres offer enhanced toluene sensing performance at low temperatures, improving detection accuracy and stability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Sensing
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Toluene poses significant risks to human health and the environment.
- Accurate and real-time detection of toluene is essential.
- Challenges exist in selectively detecting toluene due to its similarity to other volatile organic compounds like benzene and xylene (BTX).
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly selective and efficient sensor for toluene detection.
- To synthesize and characterize palladium-loaded indium oxide nanospheres for gas sensing applications.
- To investigate the sensing mechanism of toluene using the developed sensor.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of palladium-loaded indium oxide nanospheres via solvothermal and post-reduction methods.
- Fabrication of a gas sensor using 0.75 wt% Pd-In2O3.
- Evaluation of sensor performance, including response, selectivity, operating temperature, and stability.
- Investigation of the sensing mechanism through analysis of palladium's sensitization effects.
Main Results:
- The 0.75 wt% Pd-In2O3 sensor showed a response approximately four times higher than pure indium oxide for 100 ppm toluene.
- The sensor operated effectively at a low temperature of 160 °C.
- Exceptional selectivity and good stability were observed for toluene detection.
- Palladium's chemical and electron sensitization effects enhance oxygen chemisorption and toluene molecule interaction, while its catalytic activation improves selectivity.
Conclusions:
- Palladium-loaded indium oxide nanospheres are effective for highly selective and sensitive toluene detection.
- The developed sensor offers enhanced performance at low operating temperatures, addressing limitations of existing methods.
- This research provides a foundation for designing advanced metal oxide semiconductor sensors for precise toluene monitoring.
