Pure and Pt-loaded gamma iron oxide as sensor for detection of sub ppm level of acetone

In this study, pure and Pt-loaded nanocrystalline γ-Fe2O3 have been prepared by precipitation using ultrasonic irradiation. The synthesized powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), transmission electron micrograph (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). Pure nanocrystallline γ-Fe2O3 sensors were found to show good response towards sub ppm level of acetone at 250 °C, and improves significantly on Pt loading. As an example, 1 wt% Pt loading of nanocrystallline γ-Fe2O3 increased its response towards acetone by 55%. The high response of γ-Fe2O3 holds it as a potentially promising candidate for acetone detection which may lead for the non-invasive testing of diabetics.