SnO2 hollow nanospheres gas sensor for highly sensitive detection of lithium-ion battery electrolyte (DMC)

SnO 2 hollow nanospheres sensor was synthesized for DMC detection. • The sensor shows ultra-high response (80.1) to 10 ppm DMC at 120 °C. • LIB leakage simulation tests confirmed the feasibility of real time leak monitoring. • Performance is enhanced by unique hollow morphology and surface oxygen vacancies. The leakage of the electrolyte solution (DMC) in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is an early sign of thermal runaway. Therefore, early detection of this phenomenon is of vital importance for safety monitoring. In this work, hollow-structured SnO 2 nanospheres were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method as a sensing material for DMC detection. The material was comprehensively characterized by XRD, FESEM, TEM, XPS, and BET analysis, confirming its unique hollow spherical morphology, high specific surface area, and abundant surface oxygen vacancies. Gas sensing evaluations demonstrated that the sensor based on this material exhibited outstanding performance at a relatively low optimal operating temperature of 120 °C, including a high response of 80.1 toward 10 ppm DMC, a fast response time of 16 s, excellent selectivity against common interfering gases, and remarkable long-term stability. The enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic effects of the hollow structure and surface chemistry, which facilitate gas diffusion and surface reactions. This work provides a promising strategy for developing high-performance, low-cost metal oxide semiconductor gas sensors for early safety warning in LIB systems. Download: Download high-res image (157KB) Download: Download full-size image