Enhanced ethanol sensing abilities of fiber-like La1-xCexCoO3(0 <x < 0.2) perovskites based-sensors at low operating temperatures

Herein, a nanofiber network of La1_ xCexCoO3 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2) was prepared using the electrospinningcalcination method. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the appearance of CeO2 with increasing Ce-substitution. The gas sensing measurements established that the combination of the nanofiber morphology and catalytic effect of Ce imparts greater ethanol sensing performance, particularly for the highest Ce-substitution level of La0.8Ce0.2CoO3 with enhanced response of 83.4, coupled with great selectivity, along with swift response and recovery time of 17 and 32 s at a low operating temperature of 100 degrees C. The particle-interconnected nanofiber morphology as observed from scanning electron microscopy presented exceptional large hole depletion layers (HAL) which allowed for HAL overlapping with each other thus promoting greater resistance changes. Furthermore, the Ce-substitution caused a deviation from the stoichiometry and increased the surface oxygen defects that created more active surface area which promoted a more advanced gas and surface interaction. This work demonstrates the potential ethanol sensing capabilities of La1_xCexCoO3 induced by Ce-partial substitution on the La-site.

Automated summary

In this study, a nanofiber network of La1_ xCexCoO3 was prepared and the X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the appearance of CeO2 with increasing Ce-substitution. The gas sensing measurements showed that the combination of nanofiber morphology and the catalytic effect of Ce resulted in enhanced ethanol sensing performance, especially for the La0.8Ce0.2CoO3 sample. The particle-interconnected nanofiber morphology allowed for greater resistance changes and the Ce-substitution increased the surface oxygen defects, promoting a more advanced gas and surface interaction. This research demonstrates the potential ethanol sensing capabilities induced by Ce-partial substitution on the La-site.