Efficient mixed-potential acetone sensor with yttria-stabilized zirconia and porous Co3O4 nanofoam sensing electrode for hazardous gas monitoring and breath analysis.

ABSTRACT

For hazardous gas monitoring and non-invasive diagnosis of diabetes using breath analysis, porous foams assembled by Co3O4 nanoparticles were designed as sensing electrode materials to fabricate efficient yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)-based acetone sensors. The sensitivity of the sensors was improved by varying the sintering temperature to regulate the morphology. Compared to other materials sintered at different temperatures, the porous Co3O4 nanofoams sintered at 800 °C exhibited the highest electrochemical catalytic activity during the electrochemical test. The response of the corresponding Co3O4-based sensor to 10 ppm acetone was -77.2 mV and it exhibited fast response and recovery times. Moreover, the fabricated sensor achieved a low detection limit of 0.05 ppm and a high sensitivity of -56 mV/decade in the acetone concentration range of 1-20 ppm. The sensor also exhibited excellent repeatability, acceptable selectivity, good O2/humidity resistance, and long-term stability during continuous measurements for over 30 days. Moreover, the fabricated sensor was used to determine the acetone concentration in the exhaled breaths of patients with diabetic ketosis. The results indicated that it could distinguish between healthy individuals and patients with diabetic ketosis, thereby proving its abilities to diagnose and monitor diabetic ketosis. Based on its excellent sensitivity and exhaled breath measurement results, the developed sensor has broad application prospects.