MXene (Ti3C2Tx)/Rh-doped SnO2 composites for improved acetone sensing properties

Rh-doped SnO2 nanofibers have demonstrated high selectivity and response in detecting acetone. However, these nanofibers operated at high temperature and exhibited a long recovery time. In this study, a two-dimensional material MXene was introduced into Rh-doped SnO2 nanofibers, and MXene (Ti3C2Tx)/Rh-SnO2 composites were synthesized via hydrothermal method. The morphology, structure and composition of MXene (Ti3C2Tx)/ Rh-SnO2 were systematically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Brunauer-EmmettTeller techniques (BET). The results indicated that MXene (Ti3C2Tx)/Rh-SnO2 composites formed compact heterostructures. The effects of adding different volumes (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 ml) of 5 mg/ml MXene on the sensing properties of the composites were investigated. The sensing results showed that the composite of (1 ml) MXene (Ti3C2Tx)/Rh-SnO2 achieved a response as high as 82.46% to 100 ppm acetone gas at 100 degrees C and exhibited rapid response and recovery times of 3/8 s, compared to the optimal operating temperature (190 degrees C) and recovery time (43 s) observed with the pristine Rh-doped SnO2 nanofibers, there is a significant improvement. It also demonstrated outstanding humidity resistance and a minimum detection limit of 0.6 ppm. Moreover, the addition of MXene not only significantly affects the sensing performance of the pristine Rh-doped SnO2 nanofibers but also preserves its sensing advantages. The sensing mechanism of the MXene (Ti3C2Tx)/Rh-SnO2 composites is also discussed. Herein, MXene (Ti3C2Tx)/Rh-SnO2 composites presents a feasible strategy for enhancing the sensing properties of gas sensors.