Synthesis, Characterization and Acetone Sensing Performance of ZnFe2O4 Hollow Spheres/RGO Composites

Abstract

ZnFe 2 O 4 hollow spheres and ZnFe 2 O 4 hollow spheres / RGO composites with different RGO contents were successfully synthesized using a one-pot solvothermal method. The morphology and microstructure of the as-prepared samples were characterized through multiple techniques. The gas-sensing experiments include the effects of operating temperature and RGO mixing mass on the gas-sensing response, the selectivity and the response of the sensor based on 0.5 wt% ZnFe 2 O 4 /RGO to acetone in various concentrations. The experimental results reveal that the mixing of graphene into ZnFe 2 O 4 hollow spheres can improve the performance of the sensors to low-ppm-level acetone vapor, and the sensor based on 0.5 wt% ZnFe 2 O 4 /RGO exhibits good sensitivity and selectivity to 0.8-10 ppm acetone vapor at 200℃. So, the sensor based on 0.5 wt% ZnFe 2 O 4 /RGO may be applied to detect diabetes mellitus via quantitative measuring of the acetone from respiratory gases of patients if the response is improved further and the operating temperature is further optimized.