Effect of Pr/Zn on the anti-humidity and acetone-sensing properties of Co 3 O 4 prepared by electrospray

• Published in: RSC advances Vol. 12; no. 30; pp. 19384 - 19393
• Main Authors: Fan, Xiangxiang, Wang, Junfeng, Sun, Chuanlong, Huang, Chun, Lu, Yujie, Dai, Pan, Xu, Yajuan, He, Wuming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 29.06.2022
• ISSN: 2046-2069; 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/D2RA03321F

Co 3 O 4 is a P-type metal-oxide semiconductor which can realize acetone detection at a lower temperature, but the lower working temperature brings the enhanced humidity effect. In order to solve the problem of a Co 3 O 4 gas sensor being easily affected by humidity, an acetone-sensing material of Co 3 O 4 mixed with Pr/Zn was prepared by electrospray in this work. The optimal working temperature of Pr/Zn–Co 3 O 4 is 160 °C, and the detection limit can reach 1 ppm. The fluctuation of the acetone response is about 7.7% in the relative humidity range of 30–90%. Compared with pure Co 3 O 4 , the anti-humidity property of this material is obviously enhanced, but the gas-sensing response deteriorates. Compared with Pr–Co 3 O 4 , the anti-humidity and acetone sensing properties of Pr/Zn–Co 3 O 4 were both improved. The morphology, composition, crystal state and energy state of the material were analyzed by SEM, EDS, XRD and XPS. The material of Pr/Zn–Co 3 O 4 is a multi-component mixed material composed of PrCoO 3 , ZnO, Pr 6 O 11 and Co 3 O 4 . The improved anti-humidity and acetone sensing properties exhibited by this material are the result of the synergistic effect of ZnO and Pr 3+ .