• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.223-228
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• 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.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.221-224
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• 2019

Based on the results of studies on acetone excretion in diabetic patients, a one - chip sensors array was fabricated by combining acetone-selective sensor materials and volatile-organic-compound sensitive sensor materials. An electonic-nose was implemented using a sensor array and confirmed selectivity for five gases. In this system, the excretion of diabetic patients and controls was sampled with solid phase microextraction fiber and transferred to the sensor array. Although the control and diabetic patients were distinct, several samples failed. In the control group, the results of blood tests were normal, but patients were highly obese. In addition, the gas chromatography mass spectrometry results for the subjects revealed chemicals that are external factors.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.345-351
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• 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.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.393-400
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• 2023

Acetone, a metabolite detected from the exhaled breath of people doing a diet, can be used for non-invasive monitoring of diet efficiency. Thus, gas sensors with rapid response and recovery characteristics to acetone need to be developed. Herein, we report ultrafast acetone sensors using Ce-doped In₂O₃ nanoparticles prepared by the one-pot microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The pure In₂O₃ sensor shows a high response and fast response time (τ_res = 6 s) upon exposure to 2 ppm acetone at 300 ℃, while exhibiting a relatively sluggish recovery speed (τ_recov = 1129 s). When 20 wt% Ce is doped, the τ_recov of the sensor significantly decreased to 45 s withholding the fast-responding characteristic (τ_res = 6 s). In addition, the acetone response (resistance ratio, S) of the sensor is as high as 5.8, sufficiently high to detect breath acetone. Moreover, the sensor shows similar acetone sensing characteristics even under a highly humid condition (relative humidity of 60%) in terms of τ_res (6 s), τ_recov (47 s), and S (4.7), demonstrating its high potential in real applications. The excellent acetone sensing characteristics of Ce-doped In₂O₃ nanoparticles are discussed in terms of their size, composition, phase, and oxygen adsorption on the sensing surface.