UV light-activated BiFeO3/Ti3C2Tx MXene composites for room-temperature triethylamine detection

Room-temperature detection of triethylamine is of great significance for reducing power consumption and prolonging sensor life. In this paper, BiFeO 3 (BFO) nanoparticles and single-layer Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene were prepared by sol-gel method and in situ hydrofluoric acid etching method, respectively. The structure, morphology, surface element valence and room-temperature triethylamine sensing properties of BFO and BFO/MXene composites were characterized. The effects of MXene content and ultraviolet (UV) light excitation on the triethylamine sensing performance of BFO and BFO/MXene composites were investigated. Both the addition of MXene and UV light excitation have been demonstrated to effectively enhance the room-temperature triethylamine detection of BiFeO 3 -based sensors. The BFO/0.75MXene sample exhibited the highest response value of 2.35 to 20 ppm triethylamine, which was 1.7 times as large as BFO. Under UV light excitation, the response value of the BFO and BFO/0.75MXene sample to 80 ppm triethylamine was 213.4 % and 139.1 % that of the pristine BFO and BFO/0.75MXene, respectively. The high specific surface area and diverse functional groups distributed on the surface of MXene, photogenerated carriers produced by light excitation, and the Schottky barrier formed between BiFeO 3 and MXene are considered key factors contributing to the enhanced gas sensing performance. ● The room-temperature TEA gas sensor based on BiFeO 3 /MXene was fabricated. ● The addition of MXene have enhanced response of BiFeO 3 -based sensors. ● The response of BiFeO 3 /0.75MXene sample is 1.7 times higher than BiFeO 3 . ● UV light excitation have enhanced the response of BFO and BiFeO 3 /0.75MXene.