KxWO Is a Novel Ferroelectric Nanomaterial for Application as a Room Temperature Acetone Sensor

Abstract

A newly synthesized nanomaterial known as KxW7O22 (KxWO) exhibits a stable room-temperature ferroelectric property. This unique ferroelectric property has revealed that KxWO is a promising material for application in a breath sensor, which can be used for patients to monitor their daily health condition and diagnose disease at every early stage with low cost, convenience, and non-invasion. In this study, we successfully synthesized nano-structured KxWO through a low cost but high yield hydrothermal method. The sensing response of KxWO to acetone is examined based on a chemiresistive effect. For the first time, we systematically studied how material structures and the component, potassium (K), can affect KxWO-based sensing performance. The results indicate that the low temperature ferroelectric property of KxWO causes an excellent response to acetone, which is the biomarker for diabetes. The lowest detection limit can be down to 0.1 ppm and the KxWO-based sensor can operate at room temperature. In addition, the Kx component KxWO and its crystal structure also play an important role in improving its sensing performance. Our results provide advanced research in (1) exploring the study of KxWO material properties by tailoring the concentration of the potassium in KxWO and introducing the surfactant Pluronic L-121 in the growing process, and (2) optimizing KxWO sensing performance by controlling its material properties.

Enhanced photoluminescence of potassium-doped tungsten oxide by acetone exposure

“…K x WO was synthesized using a hydrothermal method. [30][31][32][33] A precursor solution containing Na 2 WO 4 $2H 2 O (95%, Alfa Aesar, Tewksbury, MA, USA), oxalic acid dehydrate (>99%, VWR, Radnor, PA, USA), K 2 SO 4 (>99%, VWR, Radnor, PA, USA), and hydrochloric acid (36-38%, Aqua Solutions Inc., Deer Park, TX, USA) was rst made. To synthesize surfactant-treated KWO (S-KWO), poly(ethylene glycol)block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (designated PEG-PPG-PEG; Pluronic L-121, Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) was added to the precursor solution and stirred for 10 min.…”

The effect of acids precipitants on the synthesis of WO3 hierarchical nanostructures for highly selective and sensitive H2S detection

“…It has been reported in previous studies that the gas sensing performance of semiconductor metal oxide materials is greatly influenced or enhanced by its exposed crystal facets, surface area, crystal structure, surface morphology, and crystallite size (Lavanya et al, 2017), (Johnson et al, 2020), (Simion et al, 2018). Therefore, the desired properties of gas sensing materials could be obtained by rational control and design of the above-mentioned parameters.…”

Ultrahigh-acetone-sensitivity sensor based on Pt-loaded TiO2 porous nanoparticles synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method

“…However, due to its combustibility and toxicity, significant precautions should be taken to detect its concentration. For instance, when acetone in the air is inhaled, it can result in headaches and vertigo at 1000 parts per million (ppm), drunkenness, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting from 2000 to 10 000 ppm, and death at greater concentrations [6][7][8]. Disease diagnosis can be made by detecting specific volatile organic compounds in the respiratory system.…”