Defect-heterointerface synergy in CuO/S-SnO₂ heterostructures for highly sensitive n-butanol detection

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Sensitive detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is crucial for environmental monitoring and industrial safety.
• Tin dioxide (SnO2) based sensors are widely used but require improvements in sensitivity and operating conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel CuO/S-SnO2 heterostructure for enhanced detection of n-butanol.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of sulfur incorporation and CuO/SnO2 heterojunction formation on sensing performance.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of CuO/S-SnO2 heterostructure using hydrothermal and in-situ replacement methods.
• Characterization using structural and chemical analyses.
• Fabrication and testing of gas sensors for n-butanol detection.

Main Results:

• The CuO/S-SnO2 sensor exhibited a high response (26) to 100 ppm n-butanol at 180°C.
• The sensor showed good selectivity, repeatability, long-term stability, and enhanced humidity tolerance.
• A low theoretical detection limit of 13.3 ppb was estimated.

Conclusions:

• Sulfur incorporation and CuO/SnO2 heterojunction formation synergistically enhance VOC sensing performance.
• Defect engineering and heterointerface construction offer an effective strategy for improving gas sensor technology.
• The developed sensor shows significant potential for practical applications in environmental monitoring and industrial safety.