Low-temperature cataluminescence sensor for sulfur hexafluoride utilizing coral like Zn-doped SnO2 composite

Gaseous sensor system was developed for the detection of sulfur hexafluoride vapor based on its cataluminescence (CTL) emission by using coral-like Zn-doped SnO2 composite. The test architecture, experiment characteristics and optimal conditions were studied in detail under optimized experiment conditions. Results showed that the gas sensor system covered a linear detection range from 8 mg/L to 5600 mg/L (R = 0.9963, n = 7) with a detection limit of 6.2 mg/L (S/N = 3), which was below the standard permitted concentration. The sensor showed a rapid response of 2 s and a recovery time of 30 s, respectively. Moreover, pattern recognition method was used to test the recognizable performance of this sensor, which has found that analyte can be distinguished clearly. As sensing materials for a CTL gas sensor, this coral-like Zn-doped SnO2 demonstrates excellent CTL behavior (that is, high sensitivity, superior selectivity to sulfur hexafluoride compared with other eleven kinds of common volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as a fast response and recovery). The excellent sensing properties including improved sensitivity, selectivity and stability proved this sensor to be a promising candidate for detecting gas contaminants.