Abstract
Nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) gas sensors are pivotal in upholding environmental integrity and human health, necessitating heightened sensitivity and exceptional selectivity. Despite the prevalent use of metal oxide semiconductors (MOSs) for NO(2) detection, extant solutions exhibit shortcomings in meeting practical application criteria, specifically in response, selectivity, and operational temperatures. Here, we successfully employed a facile microwave-solvothermal method to synthesize a mesoporous CeO(2)/CNCs nanocomposite. This methodology entails the rapid and comprehensive dispersion of CeO(2) nanoparticles onto helical carbon nanocoils (CNCs), resulting in augmented electronic conductivity and an abundance of active sites within the composite. Consequently, the gas-sensing sensitivity of the nanocomposite at room temperature experienced a notable enhancement. Moreover, the presence of cerium oxide and the conversion of Ce(3+) and Ce(4+) ions facilitated the generation of oxygen vacancies in the composites, thereby further amplifying the sensing performance. Experimental outcomes demonstrate that the nanocomposite exhibited an approximate 9-fold increase in response to 50 ppm NO(2) in comparison to pure CNCs at room temperature. Additionally, the CeO(2)/CNCs sensor displayed remarkable selectivity towards NO(2) when exposed to gases such as NH(3), CO, SO(2), CO(2), and C(2)H(5)OH. This straightforward microwave-solvothermal method presents an appealing strategy for the research and development of intelligent sensors based on CNCs nanomaterials.