Electrospun ZnO/CoMoO4/ZnCo2O4 composite nanofibers for highly selective sub-ppm n-butanol sensing

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2025

Department

Department of Chemical Engineering

Abstract

This study reports the synthesis and gas sensing performance of electrospun ZnO/CoMoO4/ZnCo2O4 composite nanofibers for highly selective sub-ppm detection of n-butanol. The nanofibers were fabricated via electrospinning and calcination, incorporating Mo doping to optimize the structural and electronic properties. Pure p-type spinel ZnCo2O4, n-ZnO/p-ZnCo2O4 nanofibers, and Mo-incorporated composites with varying metal atomic ratios (5 %, 10 %, and 15 %) were synthesized, characterized, and tested for gas sensing performance. All materials exhibited p-type sensing behavior. The introduction of ZnO (n-type) into (p-type) ZnCo2O4 formed p-n heterojunctions, enhancing charge carrier modulation. Additionally, CoMoO4 contributed to increased oxygen vacancies and catalytic activity, further improving gas-sensing performance. The optimized 10 % Mo-doped ZnO/CoMoO4/ZnCo2O4 nanofibers demonstrated superior selectivity and response to n-butanol at 250 °C, detecting concentrations as low as 250 ppb with a calculated detection limit of 29 ppb. The enhanced sensitivity is attributed to the oxygen vacancy-induced adsorption sites and p-n heterojunction charge transfer effects. These findings highlight the potential of engineered p-type metal oxide composites for VOC sensing applications.

Publication Title

Sensors and Actuators B Chemical

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