A Novel Impedimetric Ethylene Gas Sensor Based on Copper Foam/CuO/SnO2 Nanocomposite

Abstract Ethylene gas plays a key role in the natural ripening of fruits and vegetables. However, high concentrations of ethylene can reduce the shelf life of the product and exacerbate destructive reactions. Measuring the concentration of ethylene is a powerful method to control the ripening and spoilage of agricultural products. The conventional ethylene detection tools are large and expensive or do not offer sufficient sensitivity and selectivity. Therefore, it is important to build small, energy-efficient, low-cost, high-sensitivity ethylene sensors. In this work, CF/CuO/SnO2 nanocomposite was synthesized based on copper oxide nanoclusters by converting copper foam (CF) into tin dioxide/copper oxide (CuO/SnO2) dual-core nano-hybrid using thermal and hydrothermal methods. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), grazing XRD, Brunnauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, and UV-Vis spectroscopy techniques were used to characterize CF/CuO/SnO2 nanocomposites. Parameters affecting sensor performance such as temperature, gas concentration, sensor stability, and sensor selectivity were also explored. The results showed that CF/CuO/SnO2 nanocomposite with a specific surface area of 1.4480 m2/g, a sensitivity of 83%, and ethylene concentration of 80 ppm at 150°C, as an n-p hybrid, can be a suitable sensor for ethylene detection in air.