Novel Construction of Morphology-Tunable C–N/SnO₂/ZnO/Au Microspheres with Ultrasensitivity and High Selectivity for Triethylamine under Various Temperature Detections

Abstract

Morphology-tunable C–N/SnO2-based hierarchical microspheres with good gas sensitivity for triethylamine (TEA) have been fabricated via facile electrospinning and a subsequent calcination process. The reaction temperature and modifying calcining technology played a dominant role for the morphological evolution from precursor fibers to microspherical shapes and the formation of C–N-decorated SnO2 phase composition. C–N/SnO2/ZnO composites with tunable crystallinity, microstructure, and gas-sensing performance were strictly dependent on the added amount of Zn element. Fascinatingly, the constructed C–N/SnO2/ZnO/Au composites can not only precisely regulate the crystal size, dispersion status, loading position, and content of Au nanoparticles but also display excellent gas-sensing properties with ultrasensitivity and high selectivity under various temperature detections. The response of C–N/SnO2/ZnO/Au composites can reach up to approximately 1970, calculated to be 121.6 and 23.6 times for 50 ppm TEA molecules at optimal conditions compared with C–N/SnO2 and C–N/SnO2/ZnO microspheres, respectively, actually representing the highest response value at high temperatures reported to date. The superior long-aging stability of sensing behaviors and phase structures can be also observed after 1 month. More importantly, novel C–N/SnO2/ZnO/Au sensors were employed for availably detecting low-concentration volatiles released from the storage procedure of fishes at 80 °C, indicating the practical application in chemical detectors and biosensors at low temperature. The novel gas-sensing mechanisms derived primarily from the combination of phase compositions, morphologies, and unique surface/interface transfer processes of C–N/SnO2/ZnO/Au composites are presented and investigated in detail, which will contribute to the design and development of other semiconductor-based composite sensors.

Ethanol Sensing Properties and First Principles Study of Au Supported on Mesoporous ZnO Derived from Metal Organic Framework ZIF-8

“…The gap between Au 4f 7/2 and Au 4f 5/2 is consistent with the standard value (3.7 eV) of spin-orbit doublet separation, which belongs to the Au 0 characteristic, proving that NaBH successfully converted Au 3+ into Au 0 [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Compared with the binding energy of pure metal Au 4f 7/2 (84.0 eV) and 4f 5/2 (87.7 eV), the reason why the binding energy of Au 4f in Au/ZnO materials decreased is the strong interaction between Au and ZnO [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Since the work function of Au (5.1 eV) [ 24 ] is higher than that of ZnO (4.45 eV) [ 16 ], electrons are transferred from ZnO to Au nanoparticles when Au nanoparticles contact ZnO.…”

Improving Covalent Organic Frameworks Fluorescence by Triethylamine Pinpoint Surgery as Selective Biomarker Sensor for Diabetes Mellitus Diagnosis

“…Lewis bases are molecules or ions that can provide electron pair, which is electron donor. , TEA is a kind of Lewis bases, it can deprotonate N–H and O–H bonds of organic molecules to improve their luminescence, coordination, reactive ability, etc. − TEA is a flammable, volatile, and poisonous gaseous organic amine . These characteristics mean that TEA can easily cause serious environmental pollution and dangerous accidents . Once TEA vapor mixed with air, it would increase the potential risk of forming a flammable gas mixture, chemical factory may have a conflagration .…”

“…Once TEA vapor mixed with air, it would increase the potential risk of forming a flammable gas mixture, chemical factory may have a conflagration . TEA can also cause health problems such as respiratory systems damaged, head discomfort, and pulmonary edema if the concentration is higher than 10 ppm in air . Due to its significant impact on environmental safety and human health, investigations on reliable methods for TEA detection have received intense attention in recent years.…”

“…30 These characteristics mean that TEA can easily cause serious environmental pollution and dangerous accidents. 31 Once TEA vapor mixed with air, it would increase the potential risk of forming a flammable gas mixture, chemical factory may have a conflagration. 32 TEA can also cause health problems such as respiratory systems damaged, head discomfort, and pulmonary edema if the concentration is higher than 10 ppm in air.…”

“…32 TEA can also cause health problems such as respiratory systems damaged, head discomfort, and pulmonary edema if the concentration is higher than 10 ppm in air. 31 Due to its significant impact on environmental safety and human health, investigations on reliable methods for TEA detection have received intense attention in recent years. Compared with the traditional analysis methods for TEA such as gas detection tube, 33 electrochemical 32 and gel chromatography, 34 fluorescence sensing methods have recently attracted widespread interest owing to its easy operation, high sensitivity, nondestructive emission signals, and real-time detection in analysis.…”