• 센서학회지
• /
• 제25권3호
• /
• pp.223-228
• /
• 2016

In this work, we prepared porous WO3 nanofibers (NFs) functionalized by bio-inspired catalytic $Cr_2O_3$ and $Co_3O_4$ nanoparticles as highly sensitive and selective $H_2S$ gas sensing layers. Highly porous 3-dimensional (3D) NFs networks decorated by well-dispersed catalyst NPs exhibited superior $H_2S$ gas response ($R_{air}/R_{gas}$ = 46 at 5 ppm) in high humidity environment (95 %RH). In particular, the sensors showed outstanding $H_2S$ selectivity against other interfering analytes (such as acetone, toluene, CO, $H_2$, ethanol). Exhaled breath sensors using $Cr_2O_3$ and $Co_3O_4$ catalysts-loaded $WO_3$ NFs are highly promising for the accurate detection of halitosis.

• 센서학회지
• /
• 제27권5호
• /
• pp.345-351
• /
• 2018

We employed an unprecedented technique to synthesize porous $WO_3@SnO_2$ nanofibers exhibiting core-shell and fiber-in-tube configurations. Firstly, 2-methylimidazole was uniformly incorporated in as-spun nanofibers containing ammonium metatungstate hydrate and the sacrificial polymer (polyacrylonitrile). Secondly, the 2-methylimidazole on the surfaces of nanofibers was complexed with tin(II) chloride ($SnCl_2$) via simple impregnation of the as-spun nanofibers in ethanol containing tin(II) chloride dihydrate ($SnCl_2{\cdot}2H_2O$). The presence of vacant p-orbitals in tin (Sn) and the nucleophilic nitrogen on the imidazole ring allowed for the reaction between $SnCl_2$ and 2-methylimidazole, forming adducts on the surfaces of the as-spun nanofibers. The calcination of these nanofibers resulted in porous $WO_3@SnO_2$ nanofibers with a higher surface area ($55.3m^2{\cdot}g^{-1}$) and a better response to 1-5 ppm of acetone than pristine $SnO_2$ NFs synthesized using a similar method. An improved response to acetone was achieved upon functionalization of the $WO_3@SnO_2$ nanofibers with catalytic palladium nanoparticles. This work demonstrates the potential application of $WO_3@SnO_2$ nanofibers as sensing layers for chemiresistive sensory devices for the detection of acetone in exhaled breath.