Enhanced acetone detection performance using facile CeO2–SnO2 nanosheets

SnO2 and CeO2–SnO2 nanocomposites were fabricated using a facile hydrothermal method. The morphology and structure of the prepared SnO2 nanoparticles and CeO2–SnO2 nanosheets were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Furthermore, the gas sensing properties of these nanocomposites were systematically investigated. Gas sensing results suggested that the SnO2 sensing composite with the optimal Ce content of 5 wt% possessed the highest sensor response of 47–750 ppm acetone at the optimum operating temperature of 280 °C. The sensor response improved over 4 times compared to that of the pure SnO2 nanoparticles. Meanwhile, the response time and recovery time of 5 wt% Ce doped SnO2 nanosheets sensor were about 9 s and 5 s, respectively. Moreover, the 5 wt% Ce doped SnO2 nanosheets sensor exhibited a high acetone selectively against methanal, methanol, ethanol and benzene. The enhanced acetone gas sensing performance of CeO2–SnO2 nanosheets can be related to the addition of CeO2 and consequently the modification of morphology and lesser oxidized surface of the nanocomposite. Thus, the facile CeO2–SnO2 nanosheets present significant promise for acetone detection applications.