Preparation and sensing performance investigation of ZIF-8-derived ZnO-supported Ag nanoparticle assemblies for trace H2S gas detection

To detect trace hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) safely, more sensitively and less expensively, a new synthesized ZIF-8-derived ZnO-supported Ag nanoparticle assemblies have been investigated. In the successful formation, ZIF-8 was synthesized in room temperature aqueous solution, followed by ultrasonication to produce Ag + /ZIF-8 compounds, and yielded Ag/ZnO assemblies after sintering. Various characterizations have been done to confirm the morphology, surface chemical state and electron distribution by XRD, SEM, XPS, BET and DRIFT. The sensing test results indicate that at an exciting operating temperature of 100 °C, the A-2 labeled sensor exhibits excellent H 2 S detection capabilities, including a response value of 104 for 2.5 ppm H 2 S, the minimum detection limit of 1.1 ppb, satisfied selectivity, significant resilience against humidity and long time stability. More significantly, a valuable test of 140 h real time detection of the H 2 S emission from fresh fish meat has been performed successfully, providing effective data for protein spoilage assessment. Rhombic dodecahedron structure, catalysis of Ag nanoparticles and overflow effect of H 2 S result in the distinct sensing mechanism, providing novel insights and theoretical foundations for developing highly efficient trace H 2 S gas sensors.