Abstract
The detection of trimethylamine (TMA) is critically important due to its toxic and flammable nature, which poses significant risks to human health and the environment. However, achieving high response, rapid kinetics, selectivity, and low operating temperatures in TMA sensing remains challenging. In this study, WS(2)/WO(3) nanohybrids with flower-like hierarchical structures were synthesized via an in situ sulfurization process, utilizing varying amounts of thioacetamide to control the sulfurization state of WO(3). These novel hierarchical WS(2)/WO(3) nanohybrids exhibit remarkable selectivity towards TMA, as well as rapid response and recovery characteristics. Specially, the optimal WS(2)/WO(3) sensor, composed of 5% WS(2)/WO(3) nanohybrids, demonstrates exceptional TMA sensing performance, including a high response (19.45 at 10 ppm), good repeatability, reliable long-term stability, and a low theoretical detection limit (15.96 ppb). The superior sensing capabilities of the WS(2)/WO(3) nanohybrids are attributed to the formation of p-n heterojunctions at the interface, the unique hierarchical structures, and the catalytic activity of WS(2). Overall, this work provides a straightforward and versatile approach for synthesizing multifunctional nanomaterials by combining metal oxide micro-flowers with transition metal dichalcogenide nanoflakes for applications in monitoring TMA in complex environments.