Pr6O11-Functionalized SnO2 Flower-Like Architectures for Highly Efficient, Stable, and Selective Acetone Detection

Pristine and different amounts of praseodymium oxide (Pr₆O₁₁)-functionalized tin oxide (SnO₂) flower-like architectures were synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal method. Their crystal structure, surface morphology, and chemical compositions were analyzed by XRD, SEM, TEM, and XPS. Measured results showed that Pr existing was in the form of Pr₆O₁₁. Compared with pristine SnO₂ architectures, the gas sensing properties toward acetone of Pr₆O₁₁-functionalized SnO₂ architectures could significantly be enhanced under different working temperatures. The response of the as-synthesized Pr₆O₁₁/SnO₂ (Pr_(mol):Sn_(mol) = 1:50) sensor to 100 ppm acetone was about 27, which was about three times higher than that of pristine SnO₂ architectures. The response/recovery time was 2/36 s at 200 °C. When acetone concentration was down to 1 ppm, Pr₆O₁₁/SnO₂ (Pr_(mol):Sn_(mol) = 1:50) sensor also exhibited an obvious response. Meanwhile, the enhanced gas sensing mechanism of Pr₆O₁₁-functionalized SnO₂ architectures was discussed, and the results indicated that the architectures are promising candidates for the practical acetone sensing.