Enhanced butanone chemoresistive sensor utilizing cobalt oxide nanoparticles

Detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly 2-butanone, has become crucial due to their widespread use and associated risks to human health. In this study, we present a novel synthesis method for spinel Co3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) employing a microwave-assisted hydrothermal approach followed by calcination and investigate their efficiency in VOC sensing applications. The Co3O4 NPs exhibit remarkable sensitivity and selectivity towards butanone at relatively low operating temperatures. VOC-sensing experiments reveal an optimal operating temperature of 250 , showcasing an advantage over existing sensors. Notably, the sensor exhibits high selectivity for butanone, with signal values 1.6-4.5 times higher than those for other VOCs, including acetaldehyde, ethanol, isopropanol, methanol, acetone, m-xylene, toluene, and benzene. Additionally, the Co3O4 NPs-based sensor demonstrates high sensitivity, detecting concentrations as low as 5 ppm of butanone, with fast response/recovery times of 41/86 s for 200 ppm of butanone and robust long-term stability. These findings underscore the potential of Co3O4 NPs as promising candidates for low-temperature butanone detection, which is essential for environmental and human health monitoring purposes.