Ultra-sensitive ethanol sensor with low detection limit based on mesoporous Au-loaded ?-Fe2O3 nanospheres

Au-loaded gamma-Fe2O3 nanocomposites were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method and one-step amino acid synthesis. Through various characterization methods, it was found that the gamma-Fe2O3 nanospheres attached with gold nanoparticles were of high purity and mesoporous. The test results show that compared with pure gamma-Fe2O3, the sensor based on mesoporous Au-loaded gamma-Fe2O3 nanospheres has superior performance, and it exhibits a high response value (S = 56.7) to 100 ppm ethanol at 200celcius, short response/recovery times (2 s/9s), and excellent selectivity and long-term stability. Furthermore, the sensor can detect ethanol as low as 0.2 ppm (S = 2.3). The material is expected to be used for high-performance ethanol detectors.

Automated summary

Au-loaded gamma-Fe2O3 nanocomposites were successfully prepared using a simple hydrothermal method and one-step amino acid synthesis. The material exhibited high purity and mesoporous structure. The sensor based on mesoporous Au-loaded gamma-Fe2O3 nanospheres showed superior performance in detecting ethanol, with high response value, short response/recovery times, excellent selectivity, long-term stability, and the ability to detect as low as 0.2 ppm ethanol. This material holds promise for high-performance ethanol detectors.