A cataluminescence gas sensor for triethylamine based on nanosized LaF3–CeO2

A novel and highly sensitive gas sensor for triethylamine (TEA) was proposed based on its cataluminescence (CTL) from the catalytic oxidation on the surface of nano-sized LaF3–CeO2. The LaF3–CeO2 nanoparticles were successfully prepared by using a calcination method. The luminescence characteristics and the optimal conditions were investigated in detail. Under the optimal conditions, the present gas sensor exhibited a linear range of 0.9–54 ppm, with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.9987 and a limit of detection (S/N = 3) of 0.2 ppm. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for 36.5 ppm triethylamine was 4.3% (n = 6). There was no significant change in the catalytic activity of the sensor after 6 days, with a R.S.D. less than 5%. The proposed triethylamine sensor showed the advantages of good sensitivity and high selectivity.