Highly selective detection of trace methyl sec-butyl ether using cataluminescence sensor based on mesoporous CeO2 nanoparticles

Methyl sec-butyl ether (MSBE), a volatile organic compound, poses significant risks to both environmental safety and human health. Consequently, developing efficient sensors for the rapid and accurate detection of trace levels of MSBE is essential. In this study, we synthesized mesoporous CeO2 nanoparticles using carbon quantum dots as templates, resulting in the development of a highly sensitive cataluminescence sensor system. This sensor demonstrated an impressive linear detection range of 0.50–20 mg l−1 (R2 = 0.998) and a low detection limit of 0.08 mg l−1, coupled with a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 3. We applied the mesoporous CeO2 nanoparticle sensor to measure MSBE levels in various environments, including a volatile medicine reagent freezer, laboratory gas, and a storage cabinet, which yielded concentrations of 2.07, 1.38, and 3.96 mg l−1, respectively. The sensor also exhibited excellent recovery rates, ranging from 91.1% to 110%, with relative standard deviations (RSD, n = 5) from 3.4% to 8.7%, indicating reliable performance. Additionally, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed to elucidate the mechanism underlying the developed cataluminescence sensor. This study introduces a versatile approach for designing gas sensors for MSBE that not only exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity but also significantly enhances their potential applications in both industrial and environmental monitoring.