Fabrication of highly sensitive acetone sensor based on sonochemically prepared as-grown Ag2O nanostructures

The sono-chemical synthesis of sliver oxide nanostructures was achieved by ultrasonic irradiation in aqueous alkaline solution (pH 8.33) at room conditions, where silver nitrate and urea were used as starting materials. The structures of as-grown Ag2O micro-flower (composed of nanosheets) were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), UV/visible, Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR), and Raman spectroscopy’s etc. The chemical composition of Ag2O nanostructures was investigated by energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS). As-grown Ag2O nanosheets were applied for the chemical sensing using simple I–V technique in liquid phase system, where acetone was used as a target analyte. The analytical performances of acetone sensors with Ag2O using glassy carbon electrode (GCE) have good sensitivity, lower detection limit, and long-term stability in their electro-chemical responses. The calibration plot was linear (R = 0.9462) over the large dynamic concentration range (0.13 μM to 0.67 M). The sensitivity was calculated to 1.6985 μA cm−2 mM−1 with lower detection limit (0.11 μM) based on a signal/noise ratio (3N/S) in short response time. Finally it was confirmed that the micro-flower morphologies (composed of nanosheets) and the optical features of silver oxide can be extended to a large range in un-doped semiconductor nanomaterials for proficient chemical sensor applications.

The structures of sono-chemically prepared as-grown Ag2O nanostructure were characterized using XRD, FE-SEM, EDS, UV/visible, FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy’s. The analytical performances of acetone sensors with Ag2O using GCE have good sensitivity, lower detection limit, long-term stability, and exhibit highly enhanced acetone-sensing in their electro-chemical response. The calibration plot was linear (R = 0.9462) over the range of 0.13 μM to 0.67 M. The sensitivity was approximately 1.6985 μA cm−2 mM−1, with a detection limit of 0.11 μM based on a signal/noise ratio (S/3N) in short response time. Hence, it is confirmed that the nanosheet composed microflower morphologies as well as optical features can be extended to a large range in un-doped semiconductor nanomaterials and proficient chemical sensor applications.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► A facile sono-chemical synthesis was used to prepare the Ag2O nanostructures.
► The analytical parameters of acetone chemi-sensor were investigated using simple I–V method.
► A band-gap energy (4.1611 eV) is calculated from UV/visible absorption spectrum.
► The acetone chemi-sensor exhibited a higher sensitivity (∼1.6985 μA cm−2 mM−1) and lower detection limit (∼0.11 μM).
► This study exhibited that Ag2O materials can be efficiently utilized as reliable and reproducible chemi-sensors.