Perovskite Oxide LaFeO₃ Hollow Microspheres for Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of Li-Ion Battery Electrolyte (DMC) Leakage

The development of highly sensitive electrolyte leakage monitoring sensors is critical for enabling early fault detection and ensuring the safe operation of lithium-ion battery (LIBs) systems. In this study, perovskite LaFeO3 hollow microspheres with an average diameter of 850 nm were synthesized via a hydrothermal method. Gas-sensing tests demonstrated that the LaFeO3 hollow microsphere sensor exhibited exceptional responsiveness to dimethyl carbonate (DMC) gas, achieving a remarkable response value of 67.9 toward 10 ppm DMC at an operating temperature of 150 °C. The sensor also showed a fast response/recovery rate (170/90 s), excellent selectivity, long-term stability, and a low detection limit of 20 ppb. This excellent gas-sensing performance may be attributed to the high specific surface area and well-developed mesoporous structure of the hollow structure. Moreover, it demonstrated rapid response capabilities in simulated leakage detection scenarios. This work presents a novel perovskite LaFeO3-based sensor that can effectively detect DMC gas leakage and provide an effective strategy for enhancing safety monitoring in LIB applications.