Electrospun Co3O4 nanoparticles and its methanol detection property

PVA/Co3O4 beads-free nanofibers were prepared with PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) and cobalt(II) chloride hexahydrate (CoCl2⋅6H2O) as precursor solution by the electrospinning method. Structural studies of Co3O4 nanoparticles were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies and proved crystalline. Morphological studies were performed with a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) characterization, which revealed that electrospun nanofibers were smoothly edged and randomly distributed along the substrate. The PVA/Co3O4 nanofibers were calcined to obtain nanoparticles in the one-dimension-like arrangement. Vapour sensing studies of Co3O4 nanoparticles were performed towards the detection of the pulmonary disease biomarkers. The sensing characteristics were analyzed at various temperatures ranging from room temperature to 350 °C and it was observed that Co3O4 nanoparticles showed a better response to methanol at 350 °C. At the operating temperature of 350 °C, Co3O4 nanoparticle sensing studies were performed towards 21–2094 ppm of methanol. Co3O4 nanoparticles showed good sensing characteristics with quick response and recovery time towards methanol vapour, which helps in the detection of pulmonary disease through an exhaled breath.