Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots Activated Dandelion-Like Hierarchical WO3 for Highly Sensitive and Selective MEMS Sensors in Diabetes Detection.

Abstract

High sensitivity, low concentration, and excellent selectivity are pronounced primary challenges for semiconductor gas sensors to monitor acetone from exhaled breath. In this study, nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) with high reactivity were used to activate dandelion-like hierarchical tungsten oxide (WO₃) microspheres to construct an efficient and stable acetone gas sensor. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of both the abundant active sites provided by the unique dandelion-like hierarchical structure and the high reaction potential generated by the sensitization of the N-CQDs, the resulting 16 wt % N-CQDs/WO₃ sensor shows an ultrahigh response value (R_a/R_g = 74@1 ppm acetone), low detection limit (0.05 ppm), outstanding selectivity, and reliable stability to acetone at the optimum working temperature of 210 °C. Noteworthy that the N-CQDs facilitate the carrier migration and intensify the reaction between acetone and WO₃ during the sensing process. Considering the above advantages, N-CQDs as a sensitizer to achieve excellent gas-sensitive properties of WO₃ are a promising new strategy for achieving accurate acetone detection in real time and facilitating the development of portable human-exhaled gas sensors.