Highly sensitive acetone-sensing properties of Pt-decorated CuFe2O4 nanotubes prepared by electrospinning

Pristine and Pt-decorated copper ferrite nanotubes (Pt-CuFe2O4 NTs, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1.0%, mole percent) were prepared by a simple electrospinning method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope. Their gas-sensing properties were evaluated by a commercial CGS-4TPs system. Microscopic images showed that all samples consisted of well-defined nanotubes with diameter of 70‒100 nm. Gas-sensing measurements revealed that the Pt-CuFe2O4 NTs had an improved acetone-sensing properties compared with pristine CuFe2O4 NTs. In particular, 0.5% Pt-CuFe2O4 NT-based sensor showed a high response (16.5 at 100 ppm), good selectivity, and long-term stability for acetone at 300 °C. In addition, more Pt dopants would have a greater effect on promoting the sensing properties of the CuFe2O4 NTs at high acetone concentrations. A gas-sensing enhancement mechanism of Pt-CuFe2O4 NT-based sensors was proposed, according to the catalytic oxidation process of acetone molecules, which could be due to the kinetic competition between Pt dopants and CuFe2O4 NTs.