In situ construction of hierarchical Fe2O3 nanotube arrays for real-time detection and degradation of 2-CEES gas

Real-time detection and degradation of chemical warfare agents have great importance in both human healthcare and environmental protection. Herein, hierarchical Fe2O3 nanotube arrays were constructed by a simple in situ solvothermal method for effective monitoring of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfur enigma (2-CEES). The resultant Fe2O3 sensor exhibited ultrahigh response (9.6) and short response time (3.7 s) to 10 ppm 2-CEES at 170 ℃. The sensor also behaved low detection limit (30 ppb), good stability, and high moisture resistance. Notably, Fe2O3 nanotube arrays demonstrated high degradation capacity (95.2%) (100 ppm, 10 min). Such excellent performance of the portable Fe2O3 sensor for 2-CEES comes from the synergistic effect of multiple microstructural features, active sites, and surface-adsorbed oxygen species at operating temperature. The 2-CEES sensing mechanism of Fe2O3 nanotube arrays has been discussed in detail. This work offers guidance for designing high-performance sensing materials to realize efficient detection of chemical warfare agents.