Sensitive and selective acetone sensor based on its cataluminescence from nano-La2O3 surface

In the present paper, a highly sensitive and selective sensor for acetone was demonstrated, which was based on intensive cataluminescence (CTL) emission on the surface of nano-sized La2O3. The CTL characteristics and the optimum conditions for the sensor, including La2O3 morphology, wavelength, working temperature, and airflow rate, were investigated in detail. Under the optimized conditions, the CTL intensity versus concentration of acetone was linear in the range of 0.19–140 μg mL−1, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9981 and a detection limit (signal-to-noise ratio is 3; and noise is the width of baseline) of 0.08 μg mL−1. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for 9.3 μg mL−1 acetone (n = 5) was 1.4%. There was no or weak response to common foreign substances, such as ammonia, toluene, benzene, formaldehyde, ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate, and acetaldehyde. The gas sensor also exhibited good stability and durability for continuously introducing 19 μg mL−1 acetone for 80 h over 8 days, with a long-term R.S.D. less than 5%.