(736a) CeO2 Nanofibers for in-Situ O2 and CO Sensing in Harsh Environment

As the most common type of harsh environment sensors, high temperature gas sensors are paramountly important to improve combustion efficiency and control emissions. In this study, large scale and polycrystalline CeO₂ nanofibers were prepared using a facile two-step synthesis route including electrospinning and calcination. The structure and composition of nanofibers were characterized by SEM and X-ray diffraction.The as-prepared CeO₂ nanofibers show good morphological and structural stability at high temperature environment (800~1000 ^oC). CeO₂ nanofibers were further employed for in-situ, real-time oxygen (O₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) sensing at 800 ^oC and 1000 ^oC, respectively, both of which showed sensitive, reversible, and reproducible response. To the best of our knowledge, the good sensitivity of the sensor is one of the best results for resistor-type sensor for CO sensing at such high temperature.The mechanism for distinguishable response towards O₂ and CO was discussed. These results indicate that electrospun CeO₂ nanofibers are a promising nanomaterial for gas sensing in harsh environment.