Enhanced sensing of sulfur hexafluoride decomposition components based on noble-metal-functionalized cerium oxide

Metal oxide semiconductors (MOSs) are widely used gas-sensing materials because of their large response values and fast response speed. However, high operating temperature hinders the development of MOS-based gas sensors. To detect SF 6 decomposition components (including H 2 S, SO 2 , SOF 2 , and SO 2 F 2 ), here, we have synthesized cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 NPs) via a facile hydrothermal routine, followed by functionalization with Au, Ag, and Pd noble metals to improve sensor performance. Our developed CeO 2 -based sensor exhibited high response to target gases at a low working temperature. After doping various metals into the CeO 2 NPs, we acquired distinct patterns of dynamic responses for SF 6 decomposition components. Au functionalization could maximize the enhancements of sensor responses to H 2 S (976%), SO 2 (153%), and SOF 2 (151%) at 100 °C, and a Pd-modified CeO 2 -based sensor exhibited optimal response to SO 2 F 2 at a relatively high temperature of 250 °C. In addition, high response values, short response–recovery times, good repeatability, and low detection limits were also obtained from CeO 2 -based sensors. Our results verified that doping different noble metals into CeO 2 NPs should be a promising strategy to design high-performance gas sensors for SF 6 decomposition component detection.