Dielectric barrier discharge plasma-assisted fabrication of g-C3N4-Mn3O4 composite for high-performance cataluminescence H2S gas sensor

A novel and facile dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma-based strategy for fast fabrication of g-C3N4-Mn3O4 composite is developed. The obtained g-C3N4-Mn3O4 can be used as a superior cataluminescence (CTL) catalyst for H2S gas sensing, with excellent selectivity, high sensitivity, rapid and stable response. Sub-ppm level H2S is able to be detected based on the proposed sensor, providing a splendid alternative for monitoring H2S in various fields. SEM, TEM, XPS, XRD, N-2 adsorption-desorption measurement were employed to characterize the as-synthesized sensing material. The composite possesses smaller particle size and enlarged specific surface area, which might be attributed to the oxidizing non-equilibrium plasma etching. Besides, using Mn2+-impregnated g-C3N4 as the only precursor and air as working gas, this synthesis is free of solvent, extra oxidant/reductant or high temperature, offering advantages such as simplicity in construction, convenient operation and fast speed, and it could be easily implemented on a large scale and extended to manufacturing diverse metal oxide-modified composites for different purposes. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.