A cataluminescence sensor with fast response to diethyl ether based on layered double oxide nanoparticles.

This work proposed a cataluminescence (CTL) sensor for rapid and highly selective detection of diethyl ether using Mg-Al-layered double oxide (Mg-Al LDO). The linear range of the CTL intensity versus the concentration of diethyl ether was 0.1-8.0 mM, with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.9915. The limit of detection (signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) = 3) was 0.02 mM. The half decay time was ~15 s, indicating a fast CTL process. The CTL sensor showed an excellent selectivity toward diethyl ether and good operational stability. Relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 3 % in 20 consecutive measurements for diethyl ether. The CTL process was monitored by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), pH indicator, and CTL spectrum. The results showed that the strong CTL signals were from the specific basic sites of Mg-Al LDO nanoparticle, which was further confirmed by temperature-programmed desorption of carbon dioxide (CO2-TPD). This work not only provides a facile approach to obtain a CTL sensor based on LDO but also systematically investigates the catalytic mechanism of LDO. Graphical abstract ᅟ.