Solution-free, in situ preparation of nano/micro CuO/ZnO in dielectric barrier discharge for sensitive cataluminescence sensing of acetic acid.

The present work describes a new solution-free strategy for preparation of cluster-like nano/micro CuO/ZnO particles in dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in which the brass acts as the inner electrode. The cataluminescence (CTL) behaviour of such prepared material for acetic acid was studied for analytical application. Under the optimized conditions, the linear range of CTL intensity versus concentration of acetic acid are 6 mg L(-1) to 500 mg L(-1) with the limit of detection (LOD) of 3 mg L(-1), no significant interference was found. The new method shows great advantages because it is a process without any solution and complex equipment. The synthetic material was directly used for the cataluminescence sensing of acetic acid without other preliminary treatment and it shows high selectivity, satisfactory stability, and better sensitivity and linearity.