Layered Ti3C2Tx MXene/CuO spindles composites for NH3 detection at room-temperature

Ammonia (NH3) detection is important for human health and environmental protection in our daily life. In this direction, the multilayers Ti3C2Tx MXene/CuO spindles (M-Ti3C2Tx MXene/CuO) composite was syn-thesized by a simple solvothermal approach for room-temperature (RT) NH3 detection. The CuO spindles as active center components were homogeneously anchored on the surface and the interlayers of the la-melleted Ti3C2Tx MXene. The structure and sensing characteristics of the as-fabricated composites were measured applying an array of analytical technique. The M-Ti3C2Tx MXene/CuO-based sensor indicated excellent sensitivity (46.7% towards 5 ppm NH3) and ideal selectivity. Moreover, the sensor also exhibited the shorter response time (12 s) and recovery time (25 s), brilliant repeatability and great long-term sta-bility. A possible sensing mechanism based on the formation of Ti3C2Tx MXene/CuO heterojunctions was explained in detail in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) simulations. The designed M-Ti3C2Tx MXene/CuO hybrid material can be considered as a promising candidate for high-performance NH3 de-tection at room temperature.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A multilayer Ti3C2Tx MXene/CuO composite was synthesized by a solvothermal method for room-temperature ammonia detection. The composite showed excellent sensitivity (46.7% towards 5 ppm NH3), ideal selectivity, short response time (12 s) and recovery time (25 s), and great long-term stability. This material is a promising candidate for high-performance room-temperature NH3 detection.