Ppb-Level Triethylamine Gas Sensors Based on Palladium Nanoparticles Modified Flower-Like In2O3 Grown on rGO Nanosheets Operating at Low Temperature

Triethylamine is a toxic gas that strongly stimulates the respiratory tract, resulting in even death after inhalation. However, conventional gas sensors can not detect the ppb levels of triethylamine gas and can not achieve the purpose of environmental detection in life. Therefore, developing ppb-level triethylamine gas sensors is indispensable. In this article, rGO/In2O3/Pd nanocomposites were prepared by the one-step hydrothermal method. The morphology and structure were fully characterized by transmission electron microscopy etc., which demonstrated that the microstructure of palladium nanoparticles modified flower-like In2O3 grown on rGO nanosheets was successfully synthesized. The gas sensor based on rGO/In2O3/Pd nanocomposites was then tested for its gas sensitivity. According to the experimental data, the sensitivity of rGO/In2O3/Pd to triethylamine gas was better than that of pure In2O3, In2O3/Pd, and rGO/In2O3, and the optimal working temperature of rGO/In2O3/Pd to triethylamine was 175. Besides, the gas sensor based on rGO/In2O3/Pd could detect 1 ppb triethylamine. The response value of rGO/In2O3/Pd to 1 ppb triethylamine at the optimal working temperature can reach 1.27. Finally, the gas sensitivity mechanism of the rGO/In2O3/Pd composite was analyzed.

Automated summary

The rGO/In2O3/Pd nanocomposites were successfully synthesized and used for the gas sensor to detect triethylamine gas at low ppb levels.