A novel H2S cataluminescence sensor based on ZnMn2O4 nanoparticles

Abstract Regarded as a highly toxic pollutants, H2S can severely threaten human health. Therefore, it is critical to develop an efficient sensing material to detect H2S gas. In this study, three nanomaterials—ZnMn2O4, ZnMn2O4-0.3, and ZnMn2O4-0.6—were successfully prepared via a simple hydrothermal method that is modified by the use of carbon spheres, and then applied to the field of cataluminescence (CTL). The nanostructure, surface composition, and morphology of the prepared catalysts were characterized via X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Among the nanomaterials, ZnMn2O4-0.3 exhibited the highest CTL properties, including excellent H2S selectivity, because of its high content of surface-adsorbed O2. Under optimized detection conditions, a good linear relationship (r = 0.997) of CTL intensity versus H2S concentration was obtained in the linear range of 0.810–26.3 μg mL-1, and the detection limit (S/N = 3, DL) was 0.405 μg mL-1. In addition, the CTL sensing mechanism for H2S on the ZnMn2O4-0.3 material was explored using the density functional theory. In comparison with previously reported various sensors based on CTL for H2S determination, ZnMn2O4-0.3 exhibited properties similar to or higher than other materials because of its low working temperature, fast response, or low DL, thereby confirming that ZnMn2O4 can be used as a material for CTL detection of H2S.