Excellent acetone sensing properties of Sm-doped α-Fe2O3

• Published in: Applied surface science 2014-09, Vol.314, p.931-935
• Main Authors: Su, Chang, Liu, Changbai, Liu, Li, Ni, Mucui, Li, Haiying, Bo, Xiaoqing, Liu, Lili, Chi, Xiao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetone; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Diffraction; Exact sciences and technology; Gas-sensing; Nanotubes; Operating temperature; Physics; Scanning electron microscopy; X-ray diffraction; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; X-rays; α-Fe2O3 nanotubes
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2014.06.169

•We have studied the effect on the gas-sensing properties of α-Fe2O3 nanotubes by doping Sm.•The Sm-doped α-Fe2O3 nanotubes sensors show ultrahigh sensitivity to acetone.•The lowest detection limit is 500ppb. Pure and 3wt% Sm-doped α-Fe2O3 nanotubes are prepared via a typical electrospinning technology and calcination procedure. The characteristic and morphology of the synthesized nanotubes are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Compared with pure α-Fe2O3 nanotubes, 3wt% Sm-doped α-Fe2O3 nanotubes display enhanced gas-sensing properties. The response of 3wt% Sm-doped α-Fe2O3 nanotubes is 33–50ppm acetone, which is 13 times larger than that of pure α-Fe2O3 nanotubes. The lowest detection limit of acetone is 500ppb to which the response is 2.3 at the optimum operating temperature of 240°C. The response and recovery times are about 6 and 11s to 50ppm acetone, respectively. In addition, 3wt% Sm-doped α-Fe2O3 nanotubes exhibit good selectivity and long term stability.