Wireless Gas Sensor Based on the Mesoporous ZnO-SnO₂ Heterostructure Enables Ultrasensitive and Rapid Detection of 3-Methylbutyraldehyde

Achieving ultrasensitive and rapid detection of 3-methylbutyraldehyde is crucial for monitoring chemical intermediate leakage in pharmaceutical and chemical industries as well as diagnosing ventilator-associated pneumonia by monitoring exhaled gas. However, developing a sensitive and rapid method for detecting 3-methylbutyraldehyde poses challenges. Herein, a wireless chemiresistive gas sensor based on a mesoporous ZnO-SnO2 heterostructure is fabricated to enable the ultrasensitive and rapid detection of 3-methylbutyraldehyde for the first time. The mesoporous ZnO-SnO2 heterostructure exhibits a uniform spherical shape (similar to 79 nm in diameter), a high specific surface area (54.8 m2 g(-1)), a small crystal size (similar to 4 nm), and a large pore size (6.7 nm). The gas sensor demonstrates high response (18.98@20 ppm), short response/recovery times (13/13 s), and a low detection limit (0.48 ppm) toward 3-methylbutyraldehyde. Furthermore, a real-time monitoring system is developed utilizing microelectromechanical systems gas sensors. The modification of amorphous ZnO on the mesoporous SnO2 pore wall can effectively increase the chemisorbed oxygen content and the thickness of the electron depletion layer at the gas-solid interface, which facilitates the interface redox reaction and enhances the sensing performance. This work presents an initial example of semiconductor metal oxide gas sensors for efficient detection of 3-methylbutyraldehyde that holds great potential for ensuring safety during chemical production and disease diagnosis.