Surfactant CATB-assisted generation and gas-sensing characteristics of LnFeO3 (Ln = La, Sm, Eu) materials

Perovskite structure of LnFeO3 (Ln = La, Sm, and Eu) oxides with uniform particle size was prepared by the cationic surfactant CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) assisting method from the inorganic precursor and alkali source (Ln—chlorate, FeCl3 and NH4OH). The final products were characterized and the results showed that the pure and high crystalline perovskite structure of LnFeO3 materials were obtained after calcining at 850 °C. Gas sensors of the indirect-heating structure using LnFeO3 as sensitive materials were fabricated on alumina tube with Au electrodes and platinum wires. The gas-sensing characteristics of LnFeO3 to acetone, gasoline, and formaldehyde were investigated and exhibited good response properties to acetone (LaFeO3), gasoline (SmFeO3), and formaldehyde (EuFeO3) gases, respectively. The LnFeO3 oxides-based on gas sensors enable them to be promising candidates for the detection of the gases in monitoring environment.