Ultra-sensitive sensing platform based on Pt-ZnO-In2O3 nanofibers for detection of acetone

Ultra-small Pt nanoparticles functionalized In2O3 nanofibers have been designed by using a new catalyst loading platform (Pt@ZIF-8), which involves three steps including the synthesis of ZIF-8 nanoparticles, the preparation of Pt@ZIF-8 and the subsequent transformation to Pt-ZnO-In2O3 composite nanofibers by electrospinning. The experimental results demonstrate that the average sizes of Pt nanoparticles obtained in this way are only ∼3 nm, which is helpful to obtain highly sensitive gas sensors due to the ultra-small Pt nanoparticles. Gas sensing investigations indicate that the sensor based on Pt-ZnO-In2O3 nanofibers exhibit the superior acetone response (Ra/Rg = 57.1 to 100 ppm at 300 °C), ultra-fast response and recovery time (1/44s) and low detection limit (0.5 ppm). In this study, the excellent acetone gas sensing property of Pt-ZnO-In2O3 nanofibers attributes to the chemical sensitization and electrical sensitization of the ultra-small Pt nanoparticles, the n-n heterojunctions between ZnO and In2O3, and the p-n heterojunction produced between p-type PtO2 and n-type In2O3 (ZnO).