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 gamma-Fe2O3 have been prepared by precipitation using ultrasonic irradiation. The synthesized powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), transmission electron micrograph (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive Xray (EDX). Pure nanocrystallline gamma-Fe2O3 sensors were found to show good response towards sub ppm level of acetone at 250 degrees C, and improves significantly on Pt loading. As an example, 1 wt% Pt loading of nanocrystallline gamma-Fe2O3 increased its response towards acetone by 55%. The high response of gamma-Fe2O3 holds it as a potentially promising candidate for acetone detection which may lead for the non-invasive testing of diabetics. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.