Low-temperature monitoring of SF6 decomposition products based on CeO2@MWCNTs composite sensor

The SF 6 gas in gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) systems decomposes into SO 2 F 2 , SOF 2 , SO 2 , and H 2 S under abnormal conditions such as partial discharge. The detection of these decomposition gases with high sensitivity is essential for the safe operation of GIS devices. Herein, we report the synthesis of cerium oxide and multiwalled carbon nanotube composite (CeO 2 @MWCNTs). The CeO 2 @MWCNTs composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy , X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. The CeO 2 @MWCNTs composite sensor provided a response value of 7.7 at 100 ppm of SO 2 F 2 at a low operating temperature (50 °C), and the response and recovery features of the CeO 2 @MWCNTs composite sensor were recorded at 43 and 28 s, respectively. Moreover, the composite sensor exhibited excellent stability after two months. The developed CeO 2 @MWCNTs composite sensor can offer an exceptional platform for gas sensing applications in diverse fields.