Au-modified three-dimensional In₂O₃ inverse opals: synthesis and improved performance for acetone sensing toward diagnosis of diabetes

Abstract

Analyzing the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath effectively is crucial to medical treatment, which can provide a fast and noninvasive way to diagnose disease. Well-designed materials with controlled structures have great influence on the sensing performance. In this work, the ordered three dimensional inverse opal (3DIO) macroporous In2O3 films with additional via-hole architectures were fabricated and different amounts of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were loaded on the In2O3 films aiming at enhancing their electrical responses. The gas sensing to acetone toward diabetes diagnosis in exhaled breath was performed with different Au/In2O3 electrodes. Representatively, the best 3DIO Au/In2O3 sensor can detect acetone effectively at 340 °C with response of 42.4 to 5 ppm, the actual detection limit is as low as 20 ppb, and it holds a dynamic response of 11 s and a good selectivity. Moreover, clinical tests proved that the as-prepared 3DIO Au/In2O3 IO sensor could distinguish acetone biomarkers in human breath clearly. The excellent gas sensing properties of the Au/In2O3 electrodes were attributed to the "spillover effects" between Au and In2O3 and the special 3DIO structure. This work indicates that 3DIO Au/In2O3 composite is a promising electrode material for actual application in the monitoring and detection of diabetes through exhaled breath.

WO3 Nanofiber-Based Biomarker Detectors Enabled by Protein-Encapsulated Catalyst Self-Assembled on Polystyrene Colloid Templates

“…The superior acetone detection capabilities exhibited by the sensors developed in this study such as high sensitivity, selectivity, and low detection limit (100 ppb) demonstrates their excellent potential for the diagnosis of diabetes by breath acetone analysis, given that diabetes patients generate higher acetone concentration (over 1.8 ppm) than that (below 0.9 ppm) of healthy people. [ 46,47 ] These results were achieved by noble metal catalyst functionalization method utilizing PS colloids with Apof-catalyst NPs self-assembly as effective templates. The PS colloids in turn were used to achieve porous WO 3 NFs by forming open porosity on the surface.…”

Localized Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanowires and Fabrication of High Performance Nanosensors Based on a Single Fe2O3 Nanowire

“…During exposure to acetone vapors the following reaction takes place with releasing the electrons to the conduction band (see Figure b) …”

Preparation and photoluminescence enhancement of Au nanoparticles embedded LaPO4:Eu3+ inverse opals

“…In contrast to the pure crystalline inverse opal, the metal nanoparticles inverse opals comprised of crystalline host have many advantages. For example, the photo‐catalytic and sensor properties of semiconductors can be enhanced by the combination of inverse opal structure and LSPR of metal nanoparticles . The lanthanum phosphate with the good visible light transmission is advantage for the rare‐earth doping, which is widely used in many luminescent devices.…”

“…For example, the photo-catalytic and sensor properties of semiconductors can be enhanced by the combination of inverse opal structure and LSPR of metal nanoparticles. 19,20 The lanthanum phosphate with the good visible light transmission is advantage for the rareearth doping, which is widely used in many luminescent devices. In addition, in comparison with the Ag, the Au has the good structural and chemical stability.…”