Enhanced acetone detection for non-invasive diabetes monitoring by atomic layer deposited WO₃ nanoparticle on hierarchical In₂O₃ particles

Abstract

This study addressed the critical need for non-invasive monitoring of diabetes by proposing an acetone gas sensor based on hierarchical In2O3 with atomic layer deposition (ALD)-deposited WO3 nanoparticles. The sensor fabrication involved a carefully designed process, leveraging ALD to control WO3 deposition, ensuring uniform distribution, and mitigating agglomeration. The resulting composite exhibited enhanced sensitivity, making it promising for detecting acetone, a key biomarker for diabetes. Material synthesis, including hydrothermal formation of In2O3 hierarchy particles and ALD of WO3, was meticulously conducted. Comprehensive characterizations, involving SEM, TEM, EDX, XRD, XPS, and BET, validated the successful synthesis and deposition. The sensor's response to varying acetone concentrations (50-2000 ppb) was systematically investigated, revealing a positive correlation. The In2O3/WO3-2 sensor exhibited the highest sensitivity, attributed to the catalytic properties of WO3. The proposed sensor presented a cost-effective, sensitive, and selective solution, paving the way for non-invasive diabetes monitoring.