Smoke sensing applications of Brij 58 functionalized Praseodymium oxide (Pr6O11) nanostructures

Abstract Herein, we report, for the first time, the fabrication and characterization of smoke sensors based on Brij 58 functionalized Praseodymium oxide (Pr6O11) nanostructures. Various Pr6O11 nanostructures such as nano-aggregates, spherical particles, nano-ellipsoids and nanoflowers were synthesized by facile solution process by varying the concentration of Brij 58 in different mass ratios (Pr salt: Brij 58 = 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4). Detailed characterizations confirmed that the synthesized nanomaterials exhibited well-crystallinity and good optical properties. Interestingly, the Pr6O11 nanostructures have showed a significant chromogenic shift thereby acting as efficient smoke sensors. Pr6O11 nanomaterials have shown significant lowering in the optical absorbance when exposed to smoke and hence have the effective tendency to oxidize the smoke gases. The Pr6O11 nanomaterials successfully brought down the concentrations of CO by 99% and a 100% eradication of NOx and SO2 gases was achieved. The use of least chemicals, external energy deprived operation and recovery of the spent nanomaterials-oriented protocol, advocates the cost effectiveness of the presented system.