Xylene Sensor Using Cr-doped Co₃O₄ Nanoparticles Prepared by Flame Spray Pyrolysis

Xylene is a hazardous volatile organic compound that should be precisely measured to monitor indoor air quality. However, the selective and sensitive detection of ppm-level xylene using oxide-semiconductor gas sensors remains a challenge. In this study, pure and Cr-doped Co₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using flame spray pyrolysis, and their gas-sensing characteristics to 5-ppm xylene at 250 °C were investigated. The 4 at% Cr-doped Co₃O₄ NPs exhibited a high gas response to 5-ppm xylene (resistance ratio to gas and air = 39.1) and negligible cross-responses to other representative and ubiquitous indoor pollutants such as ethanol, benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and ammonia. In this paper, the enhancement of the gas response and selectivity of Co₃O₄ NPs to xylene by Cr doping was discussed in relation to the catalytic promotion of the gas-sensing reaction. This sensor can be used to monitor indoor xylene.