Nanoporous In2O3-based cataluminescence sensor for acetic acid vapor

In the present paper, we reported a cataluminescence (CTL) sensor using nanoporous In2O3 as sensing material to determine trace acetic acid in air. The proposed sensor showed high sensitivity and selectivity to acetic acid at optimal temperature of 293degC. Quantitative analysis was performed at a wavelength of 440 nm. The linear range of CTL intensity versus concentration of acetic acid are 25 mL/m3 to 500 mL/m3 and 501 mL/m3 to 2500 mL/m3, with detection limit of 8 mL/m3. No or only very low levels of interference was observed while the coexistence of other gases passing through the sensor. Formic acid, ethanol, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and n-hexane caused interference at around 2.7%, 4.5%, 10.8%, 2.0%, 2.9%, 2.7% and 2.3%, respectively. Chloroform and ammonia vapors did not show any interference. The technique has been successfully applied to determine acetic acid in the artificial air samples.