A highly sensitive, simple and selective gas sensor was developed for the determination of trace acetaldehyde in air based on cataluminescence (CTL) on nano-sized Al2Ti2O7. The gas sensor showed high selectivity for acetaldehyde at 515 nm and satisfying activity at 295°C. The linear range of the CTL intensity versus concentration of acetaldehyde was 1~65 mg/m3, and the detection limit (3σ) was 0.5 mg/m3. No interference was observed while the foreign substances, such as ammonia, ethanol, formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, were passing through the sensor. The gas sensor displayed good stability for continuously introducing 10 mg/m3 acetaldehyde over 60 h, and allowed real-time monitoring of acetaldehyde in air.

A rapid and sensitive cataluminescence-based gas sensor utilizing nanosized Y2MnO5as the sensing materials for determining dimethyl ether in air was proposed. The luminescence characteristics and the optimal conditions were investigated in detail. The gas sensor showed high selectivity for dimethyl ether at 620 nm and satisfying activity at 210°C under the optimized conditions. The linear range of cataluminescence intensity versus concentration of dimethyl ether was 5~120 mg/m3, and the detection limit (3σ) was 3 mg/m3. No or weak interference was observed while the foreign substances, such as formaldehyde, ammonia, ethanol, benzene, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, were passing through the sensor under selected conditions. The gas sensor displayed good stability for continuously introducing dimethyl ether over 100 h, and allowed real-time monitoring of dimethyl ether in air.

A rapid and sensitive cataluminescence (CTL)-based gas sensor using nanosized Cr4TiO8 as a probe was proposed for direct determination of acetone in air. Trace acetone was firstly absorbed on active carbon at room temperature to concentrate, then desorbed at 84°C to determine. The sensor showed high selectivity to acetone at wavelength of 430nm, satisfying activity at temperature of 366°C and good stability at carrier flow rate of 115 ml/min. The linear range of CTL intensity versus concentration of acetone was 2.5~150 mg/m3, and the detection limit (3σ) was 1.2 mg/m3. The recovery of artificial sample was 94.1%—106.2% by this method. The response to formaldehyde and ethanol was insignificant, and there was no response to SO2, CO and benzene.

A rapid and sensitive cataluminescence (CTL)-based gas sensor using nanosized Y2Zr1.5O6 as a probe was proposed for direct determination of ether in air. Trace ether was firstly absorbed on active carbon at room temperature to concentrate, then desorbed at 65°C to determine. The sensor showed high selectivity to ether at wavelength of 510nm, satisfying activity at temperature of 310°C and good stability at carrier flow rate of 110 ml/min. The linear range of CTL intensity versus concentration of ether was 2~100 mg/m3, and the detection limit (3σ) was 1.1 mg/m3. The recovery of artificial sample was 95.4%—106.7% by this method. The response to formaldehyde, benzene, NH3 and ethanol was insignificant, and there was no response to SO2, CO and acetone. The technique is a convenient and fast way of determining ether in air.

A new sensor based on cataluminescence (CTL) produced on the surface of nanosized TiW3Cr2O14 was demonstrated for direct determination of ammonia in air. Trace ammonia was firstly absorbed on active carbon at room temperature to concentrate, then desorbed at 105°C to determine. The sensor showed high selectivity to ammonia at wavelength of 540 nm, satisfying activity at temperature of 275°C and good stability at air carrier flow rate of 115 ml/min. The linear range of CTL intensity versus concentration of ammonia was 1.0~50 mg/m3 (γ=0.9990), and the detection limit (3σ) was 0.5 mg/m3. The recovery of artificial sample was 97.45%—102.73% by this method. There was no response to benzene, SO2, CO and formaldehyde, and insignificant response to ethanol. This gas sensor allows on-line monitoring of ammonia in air.