Synthesis of zinc oxide-alumina nanocables for detection of 3-hydroxy-2-butanone biomarker

Abstract We report zinc oxide (core) coated with alumina (shell) single-shelled nanocables (ZnO@Al 2 O 3 NCBs) for detection of 3-hydroxy-2-butanone (3H-2B) biomarker, which was prepared via aluminum-anodic-oxide (AAO) template confined electrodeposition, chemical etching and leaving thin AAO-channel wall with broken surface. In the core/shell nanostructure, the outer Al 2 O 3 layer protects ZnO from interference gases, while the pores allow the target gas to react with the oxygen specie on the surface of ZnO. For as-built ZnO@Al 2 O 3 NCBs sensors, the detection limit is as low as 1 ppm, and the response value to 50 ppm 3H-2B is 37.2 at 300 °C. Moreover, the ZnO@Al 2 O 3 NCBs show excellent selectivity and cyclic stability. Our ZnO@Al 2 O 3 NCBs sensors in future monitoring Listeria monocytogenes.