Preparation and performance of sensing material for diethyl ether: Optimization of working conditions by response surface methodology

Abstract

Pd doped ZnNi3Al2O7 composite was synthesized by sol-gel and impregnation method. The EDS spectrum and TEM image showed that Pd atoms are uniformly distributed on the surface of ZnNi3Al2O7 with a particle size of less than 50 nm. A sensitive diethyl ether gas sensor based on cataluminescence on the composite at lower temperature than 200℃ was reported. There is a good linear relationship between the luminescence intensity and the concentration of diethyl ether in the range of 0.1-75 mg/m3. The detection limit (3σ) is 0.06 mg/m3. The working conditions optimized by response surface methodology were analytical wavelength of 548.86 nm, reaction temperature of 109.18℃ and carrier gas velocity of 125.88 ml/min, respectively. The sensitivity of the method can be increased by 4.5% under the optimized working conditions. The optimization method is universal for many multi parameter processes.