Metal-organic frameworks derived ZnO@MoS2nanosheets core/shell heterojunctions for ppb-level acetone detection: Ultra-fast response and recovery

Two dimensional p-type MoS2 nanosheets are introduced on the surface of p-type ZnO derived from metal-organic frameworks to produce ZnO@MoS2 core/shell heterojunctions as an accurate ppb-level acetone sensor for noninvasive detection of diabetes. [Display omitted] •p-type MoS2 nanosheets are introduced on p-type ZnO derived from MOFs to produce ZnO@MoS2 core/shell heterojunctions.•ZnO@MoS2 exhibits an ultra-fast response/recovery to ultra-low concentration acetone (60 s/40 s @ 5 ppb).•MD simulations and DFT calculations are combined to elucidate the underlying acetone sensing mechanism. It is imperative to explore an accurate ppb-level acetone sensor for noninvasive detection of diabetes. In this work, two dimensional p-type MoS2 nanosheets are introduced on the surface of p-type ZnO derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to produce ZnO@MoS2 core/shell heterojunctions as a novel acetone sensor, showing a great enhancement of acetone response, about two orders of magnitude than that of pure ZnO derived from MOFs. For example, the ZnO@MoS2 exhibits about 80 times enhancement in response to 100 ppb acetone than that of pure ZnO. More importantly, this ZnO@MoS2 heterojunctions sensor exhibits an ultra-fast response/recovery to ultra-low concentration acetone (60 s/40 s @ 5 ppb), which is the best acetone sensing performance for the metal oxide-based materials reported to date. Moreover, the acetone sensing performances are negligibly affected by humidity and other gas, which is suitable for exhaled acetone detection. Finally, it is elucidated that the sharp increase of negative heterojunction interface resistance, ultra-fast gas diffusion rates in MoS2 nanosheets and strong interaction energy are key factors for the excellent acetone sensing properties of ZnO@MoS2. This work opens up a novel and efficient way for ultra-low concentration gas detection.