CeO2 nanofibers for in situ O2 and CO sensing in harsh environments

As the most common type of harsh environment sensors, high temperature gas sensors are of paramount importance to improve combustion efficiency and control emissions. In this study, large scale and polycrystalline CeO2 nanofibers were prepared with an average diameter of 376 ± 55 nm using a facile two-step synthesis route including electrospinning and calcination. The as-prepared CeO2 nanofibers show good morphological and structural stability in high temperature environment (800–1000 °C). CeO2 nanofibers were further employed for in situ, real-time oxygen (O2) and carbon monoxide (CO) sensing at 800 °C and 1000 °C, respectively, both of which showed sensitive, reversible, and reproducible response. The mechanism for distinguishable response towards O2 and CO was discussed. These results indicate that electrospun CeO2 nanofibers are a promising nanomaterial for gas sensing in harsh environments.