Enhanced gas sensing performance based on the PtCu octahedral alloy nanocrystals decorated SnO2 nanoclusters

The alloying of Pt with a cheap metal, tailoring structures and compositions are significantly important to boost the utilization and catalytic performance of Pt catalysts in catalytic reactions. Here, small-size monodispersed octahedral PtxCu1+x nanocrystals (NCs) with adjustable components were successfully prepared by a simple solvothermal method and the reaction mechanism was analyzed. The alloying of Pt and Cu not only reduces the loading of Pt, but also obtains better catalytic activity due to the synergy between heterogeneous atoms. PtxCu1+x NCs are loaded on SnO2 nanoclusters by rapid thermal annealing (RTA), which were first applied to semiconductor metal oxide (SMO) -based gas sensors. By adjusting the composition of the nanocrystals, the sensing material Pt40Cu60-SnO2 with the best gas sensing performance is obtained. More importantly, Pt40Cu60-SnO2 can significantly distinguish the exhaled breath of healthy people and diabetic ketosis (DK) patients, and achieve effective auxiliary detection of DK.

Automated summary

The successful preparation of small-size monodispersed octahedral PtxCu1+x nanocrystals by alloying Pt with Cu and adjusting the composition, applied in gas sensors, demonstrates improved gas sensing performance and effective detection of diabetic ketosis. The synergy between heterogeneous atoms enhances catalytic activity, reducing Pt loading while achieving better utilization in catalytic reactions.