Excellent toluene gas sensing properties of molecular imprinted Ag-LaFeO3 nanostructures synthesized by microwave-assisted process

Highly sensitive and selective detection against toluene gas remains a tremendous challenge in gas sensor applications. In this work, a series of molecular imprinted Ag-LaFeO3 nanoparticles (IAL NPs) were synthesized in a microwave-assisted colloidal route. Especially, the one prepared with optimal amount of imprint molecules (IAL-2 NPs) have a response of 24.0 to 5 ppm toluene at the optimum working temperature of 215 degrees C with negligible responses to the other test gases, exhibiting enhanced gas sensing properties for toluene gas at a relatively low working temperature. The improved performance can be attributed to the favorable effect of microwave radiation, the molecular imprinting structure and the sensitization of Ag, which illuminates that IAL-2 NPs is a potential candidate for toluene detection.