Porous aluminum nitride: A novel cataluminescence sensor for efficient detection of trace isobutyraldehyde

Isobutyraldehyde is a harmful gas that poses a threat to both environment and human health. Therefore, it is essential to develop a highly selective, sensitive, and efficient sensor that can rapidly detect isobutyraldehyde traces. In this study, a cataluminescence gas sensor for isobutyraldehyde detection is developed utilizing porous aluminum nitrite. This sensor has a rapid response time and exhibits notable selectivity, stability, and sensitivity to isobutyraldehyde. The sensor operated effectively over a broad linear range of 0.776–310 ppm and achieved a detection limit of 0.155 ppm with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. When applied to isobutyraldehyde detection in real samples, the developed sensor achieved recoveries in the range of 79.0–96.8 % with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 4.6–8.7 %. The sensing mechanism was validated through density functional theory and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The sensor demonstrated excellent sensing properties, including enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and stability, indicating considerable potential for trace isobutyraldehyde detection. Furthermore, it shows promise as an effective candidate for detecting other gaseous contaminants.