Layered Ti3C2Tx MXene/CuO spindles composites for NH3 detection at room-temperature

Ammonia (NH3) detection is important for human health and environmental protection in our daily life. In this direction, the multilayers Ti3C2Tx MXene/CuO spindles (M-Ti3C2Tx MXene/CuO) composite was synthesized by a simple solvothermal approach for room-temperature (RT) NH3 detection. The CuO spindles as active center components were homogeneously anchored on the surface and the interlayers of the lamelleted Ti3C2Tx MXene. The structure and sensing characteristics of the as-fabricated composites were measured applying an array of analytical technique. The M-Ti3C2Tx MXene/CuO-based sensor indicated excellent sensitivity (46.7% towards 5 ppm NH3) and ideal selectivity. Moreover, the sensor also exhibited the shorter response time (12 s) and recovery time (25 s), brilliant repeatability and great long-term stability. A possible sensing mechanism based on the formation of Ti3C2Tx MXene/CuO heterojunctions was explained in detail in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) simulations. The designed M-Ti3C2Tx MXene/CuO hybrid material can be considered as a promising candidate for high-performance NH3 detection at room temperature. [Display omitted] •The multilayers-Ti3C2Tx MXene/CuO spindle composites were prepared by self-assembly route.•The Ti3C2Tx MXene/CuO sensor indicates excellent sensitivity (46.7% towards 5 ppm NH3) at room temperature.•The density functional theory (DFT) simulation was utilized to analyze the potential sensing mechanism.