MOF-Derived ZnO Thin Films with Uniformly Dispersed Pt Nanoparticles for High-Performance Acetone Detection

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Chemical Sensing

Background:

• Acetone in exhaled breath is a vital biomarker for diagnosing diabetes and metabolic disorders.
• Detecting low acetone concentrations is challenging due to interference from other volatile compounds.
• High surface area, uniform nanostructure, and catalytic surface decoration are crucial for effective acetone sensors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize platinum (Pt)-functionalized zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).
• To engineer these films for highly sensitive and selective detection of low-concentration acetone.
• To optimize sensor performance through controlled Pt nanoparticle decoration.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of compact ZnO thin films via DC sputtering.
• In situ growth of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) on ZnO using a solution approach.
• Transformation of ZIF-8 into porous ZnO (D.ZnO) via heat treatment.
• Sputtering of D.ZnO surfaces with varying Pt nanoparticle thicknesses.

Main Results:

• The optimized Pt-functionalized ZnO sensor demonstrated a low detection limit of 0.5 ppm with a sensitivity (S) of 55%.
• The sensor exhibited excellent long-term stability over 90 days.
• Good selectivity for acetone detection was achieved.

Conclusions:

• Pt-functionalized ZnO derived from MOFs offers a promising platform for highly sensitive and selective acetone detection.
• The developed sensor shows potential for noninvasive diagnosis of diabetes and metabolic disorders.
• The synthesis and optimization strategy provides a pathway for advanced chemical sensor development.