# Etched Tungsten Oxide Modified with Au for Quick Xylene Detection

## TL;DR

This study creates a sensitive xylene sensor using etched tungsten oxide modified with gold, achieving fast detection and high performance.

## Contribution

A novel Au-decorated WO3 sensor with enhanced sensitivity and selectivity for xylene detection is developed.

## Key findings

- The WO3-1%E+Au sensor achieved a response value of 21.3 for 100 ppm xylene at 360 °C.
- The sensor had a fast response/recovery time of 1 s/11 s.
- Au decoration improved sensitivity and selectivity through catalytic effects.

## Abstract

Due to its widespread distribution in industrial, commercial, and residential settings, xylene detection is crucial. In this study, carbon sphere templates and NaHCO3 etching were used to synergistically prepare WO3 with uniform macropores, which was then decorated with Au elements. The findings demonstrated that the Au-decorated WO3-etched sample (WO3-1%E+Au) had the best sensing performance for 100 ppm xylene (response value: 21.3, optimal operating temperature: 360 °C) and short response/recovery time (1 s/11 s). The etching of NaHCO3 and the synergistic carbon sphere templates were responsible for the sensing performance, as they enhanced the sample surface’s specific surface area and roughness while also supplying additional active sites. Furthermore, the sensor’s sensitivity and selectivity to xylene were enhanced by the coupling effect and dehydrogenation catalysis of the noble metal Au. The results of this work advance our knowledge of gas-sensing mechanisms and offer guidance for the creation of extremely sensitive and selective xylene gas sensors.