Highly sensitive detection of n-butanol at room temperature using a SnO2/Nb4C3Tx-based sensing platform

Abstract

Realizing sensitive and precise n-butanol sensing via gas sensors under room-temperature conditions is highly valuable for practical applications in industrial production, environmental stewardship, and daily-life settings. In this research, heterostructured SnO₂/Nb₄C₃T_x nanocomposites were fabricated using an efficient hydrothermal method. Owing to its high specific surface area, reduced layer stacking, and the formation of an effective heterojunction between SnO₂ and Nb₄C₃T_x, the resulting sensor exhibits a pronounced response of 258% to 50 ppm n-butanol at room temperature, which is 25.8 times higher than that of the pristine Nb₄C₃T_x sensor (10%), while maintaining stable performance over 30 days. Apart from that, it also demonstrates excellent selectivity and reproducibility. Given that n-butanol serves as a key biomarker for early-stage lung cancer, this sensor offers a promising strategy for non-invasive diagnostic applications.