Synthesis, characterization, and sensitivity tests of LaBaBiFeO nanoparticles towards a few parts-per-billion of acetone gas.

In the present paper, the powders were synthesized via the auto-combustion method. The optical, the positron annihilation spectroscopy and the gas sensing properties of our sample were investigated simultaneously. FTIR spectrum revealed the antisymmetric deformation vibrations of the Fe-O and Fe-O-Fe bonds inside the octahedron FeO. The optical bandgap (E) of the compound was found to be equal to 2.23 eV. We confirmed by the positron annihilation studies, the existence of open volume defects and vacancy sized defects, at the grain/interfaces between vacancy clusters and grains at the interfaces intersection (triple-lines). Notably, the perovskite exhibits an excellent response toward acetone gas, with ultra-fast response and recovery times to some parts-per-billion (ppb) of this tested gas.