Study on the Impact of Minor Ambient Temperature Variations on the Gas Sensing Performance of Zinc Cobaltate Semiconductor Metal Oxide Sensor for Toluene Detection

Abstract

Gas sensing technology is a critical component for ensuring life and industrial safety. With the prosperity of the Internet of Things, the demand for accurate gas sensing has been steadily increasing. Common fluctuations, including ambient temperature, humidity, and interfering pollutants, can cause nonlinear changes in sensor signals, affecting sensor accuracy and potentially leading to false alarms or missed detections. Despite this, research on the impact of ambient temperature on sensor performance remains limited. This study focuses on the ZnCo₂O₄ sensor to investigate the effects of minor ambient temperature variations on the gas detection process. Test results indicate that an ambient temperature change impacts the performance of metal oxide gas sensors to varying degrees. The pronounced effect of temperature changes on ZnCo₂O₄ sensors is attributed to its high sensitivity to temperature variations, its hollow nanocage structure, and the low reactivity of the toluene. Finally, a regression model linking response rate, steady-state resistance, and environmental variables was constructed to analyze the impact of ambient temperature on sensing performance, facilitating the identification of ambient temperature and target gas concentration. This work points out the necessity of testing the effect of weak ambient temperature change on metal oxide gas sensors, which is beneficial to the practical application of chemical resistance gas sensors.