Highly efficient cataluminescence gas sensor based on nanosized h-BN for trace acetylacetone detection

Nonmetallic nanocatalysts have demonstrated powerful potential in cataluminescence (CTL) sensing fields. In this study, an original method for the fabrication of a CTL gas sensor was developed to detect acetylacetone based on nanosized hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). The luminescence characteristics and optimum operating temperature, wavelength, and carrier gas flow rate parameters for the h-BN sensor were studied in detail. Compared with other common gases (such as cyclohexanone, acetaldehyde, and acetone), the fabricated sensor demonstrated a high selectivity and sensitivity toward acetylacetone. This was verified by density functional theory calculations, which were consistent with the experimental results. The CTL intensity and concentration of acetylacetone had a linear relationship in the range of 0.050–20 μg ml−1 (r = 0.9989) with a low detection limit of 16 ng ml−1 (S/N = 3). The developed sensor was applied to analyze spiked samples, and satisfactory recoveries for acetylacetone of 82.2%–118% were obtained with excellent reproducibility (2.8%–11%). These results indicated that the system has excellent sensing properties including a high selectivity, sensitivity, and stability, proving its broad application prospects for detecting acetylacetone.