Elsevier

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical

Bismuth-based lead-free perovskite film for highly sensitive detection of ammonia gas

Highlights

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An electrochemical NH3 sensor based on non-toxic lead-free (PEA)3Bi2Br9 film.

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Excellent gas response (R0/Rg = 1.76, 30 ppm NH3) with low detection limit (0.2 ppm).

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Sensing mechanism was studied by NH3-exposed semi-qualitative evolution measurements.

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NH3 molecules can dissociate Bi2Br9 3− bi-octahedra, forming new NH4Br phase.

Abstract

Lead halide perovskite materials have received increased attention for sensing applications, due to their environmental sensitivity. However, the lead toxicity represents a potential obstacle to their practical sensing application. Here, we report a lead-free (phenethylammonium)3Bi2Br9-based sensor for ammonia (NH3) gas detection. The sensor exhibits high gas response (R0/Rg = 1.76, at 30 ppm NH3), short response/recovery time (39/130 s), low detection limit (0.2 ppm), and good reversibility. The NH3 sensing mechanism is established using a combination of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), absorption spectra, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements. The results demonstrate that the electron-donating NH3 molecules may first absorb onto the surface of the (phenethylammonium)3Bi2Br9 film for electron-injection, and then infiltrate it to dissociate the Bi2Br9 3− bi-octahedra. It will form a new NH4Br substance, different from an NH3-induced phase transformation in perovskite CH3NH3PbI3. This work reveals that it is feasible to design high-performance gas sensors based on environmentally-friendly Bi-based perovskites.

Keywords

Lead-free

(phenethylammonium)3Bi2Br9

NH3 detection

Sensing

Cited by (0)

Guishun Li received his MS degree from Shanghai University of Engineering Science in 2016. He is currently a PhD student of East China Normal University advised by Prof. Chengbin Jing majoring in Condensed Matter Physics. His research interests involve inorganic/organic hybrid perovskite materials, fluorescent functional materials, conducting polymers, and their applications in gas sensors.

Yu Zhang received his MS degree from South China Agricultural University. He is presently working on the PhD degree in East China Normal University majoring in Optoelectronic materials. His current research interests focus on perovskite quantum dots applied in LED devices.

Xianyan Zhao is currently an undergraduate student of East China Normal University majoring in Physics. Her topics of interest involve the synthesis and sensor application of halide perovskite.

Jianqiu Lin is pursuing his MS degree at East China Normal University majoring in Condensed Matter Physics. Her current research interest focuses on polyaniline ammonia sensing.

Changkun She is currently a MS student of East China Normal University majoring in Material Physics and Chemistry. His topics of interest involve the synthesis/characterizations of polypyrrole and related nanocomposites, the design of chemical sensors.

Shaohua Liu is now a Professor of Condensed Matter Physics in East China Normal University. He received his PhD in Applied Chemistry from Shanghai Jiaotong University in 2012. Currently, His research interests cover ordered porous and microporous polymers, nano energy materials and devices, new sensor-based sensing based on polymers.

Chengbin Jing is a professor at School of Physics and Electronic Science in East China Normal University. He received his PhD degree in Materials science from Wuhan University of Technology advised by Prof. Xiujian Zhao in 2004. He obtained the PostDoc position in Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. His main research areas include inorganic/organic hybrid materials, photoelectric materials and device fabrication, low loss optical transmission materials and their applications in smart sensors, infrared/terahertz optical transmission systems.

Ya Cheng received his BS degree from Fudan University in 1993 and his PhD degree from Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1998. Currently, he is a professor at School of Physics and Electronic Science in East China Normal University. The main researches involve field laser physics, femtosecond biophotonics and femtosecond micro-nanophotonics.

Junhao Chu is an expert in semiconductor physics and devices. Now he is a professor at East China Normal University. In 1981 and 1984, he obtained a MS degree and a PhD degree from the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He engages in the research of infrared optoelectronic materials and devices.

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