Enhanced acetone sensing properties of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with a sub-ppm detection limit

In the present study, a simple hydrothermal approach has been successfully applied for a large scale synthesis of anatase titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) using titanium glycolate precursors and is utilized for the fabrication of low-cost high performance acetone (CH3COCH3) gas sensors after corroborating the crystallinity, phase-purity, and surface morphology investigations. Several randomly distributed TiO2 aggregates, composed of NPs, are noticed from morphology analysis. Chemiresistive properties of as-fabricated TiO2 sensors attempted towards host of oxidizing and reducing gases, reveal a superior selectivity to CH3COCH3 with a maximum response of 15.24 (1000 ppm) @270 degrees C compared to other target gases. One of the key features of as-fabricated TiO2 sensor is the lowest detection limit of 500 ppb to CH3COCH3 with rapid response and recovery times, signifying commercial potential of the developed sensor materials. The effect of operating temperature along with various concentrations of CH3COCH3 on the gas sensing properties of TiO2 sensor has thoroughly been investigated and reported. Finally, the interaction mechanism between the CH3COCH3 molecules and the TiO2 NPs sensor was elaborated in depth for a thorough understanding sensor performance experimentally and supposedly. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.