A formaldehyde gas sensor based on Ag-decorated ZnCo2O4/FF composite

Cobalt-containing spinel oxides are highly active materials for gas sensing and have shown promise in various applications. In this study, we prepared a series of gas-sensitive composites by doping Ag into ZnCo2O4/Phenylalanine dipeptide (ZCO/FF) and investigated their gas sensitivity to formaldehyde. The experiments showed that the response of ZCO/FF-3 wt%Ag to 20 ppm formaldehyde was 23 at an optimum operating temperature of 175 °C. Further experimental data show that the sensor has excellent selectivity and stability. These results provide basic knowledge for the practical use of spinel oxide gas sensors.