Issue 32, 2021

A thermodynamic approach toward selective and reversible sub-ppm H2S sensing using ultra-small CuO nanorods impregnated with Nb2O5 nanoparticles

Abstract

This paper provides an ideal solution to the challenges of employing CuO nanoparticles for the reversible, selective, and stable detection of sub-ppm H2S gas. This scheme presents a hidden thermodynamic advantage that makes both sulfidation and oxidation reactions reversible over a wide range of temperature (100–220 °C) by the addition of Nb2O5 nanoparticles coupled with Gibbs free energy changes. Our optimized sensor composed of CuO–Nb2O5 composites at 220 °C exhibits excellent selectivity toward H2S and SO2 gases, ultralow detection concentration of 500 ppb, fast response time (<180 s) and fast recovery, and reliable long-term stability (of over a month). Our spectroscopic investigations along with theoretical studies confirm that the CuO–Nb2O5 interface enables the formation of Cu2+/Nb4+ ↔ Cu+/Nb5+ species due to the charge transfer between the Nb and Cu species, which energetically favors CuO sulfidation and oxidation. The Gibbs free energy calculation for the sulfidation and regeneration reaction shows that the incorporation of Nb2O5 alters the reaction equilibrium over a wide range of temperature. Thus, our study provides insight into a thermodynamic strategy for designing metal oxide composite catalysts for improved catalytic reactions.

Graphical abstract: A thermodynamic approach toward selective and reversible sub-ppm H2S sensing using ultra-small CuO nanorods impregnated with Nb2O5 nanoparticles

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
07 May 2021
Accepted
16 Jul 2021
First published
19 Jul 2021

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 17425-17433

A thermodynamic approach toward selective and reversible sub-ppm H2S sensing using ultra-small CuO nanorods impregnated with Nb2O5 nanoparticles

R. Purbia, Y. M. Kwon, S. Y. Choi, S. H. Kim, Y. S. Lee, Z. B. Ahi, H. Park and J. M. Baik, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021, 9, 17425 DOI: 10.1039/D1TA03852D

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements