A Sensitive Formaldehyde Sensor Based on Cataluminescence Coupled with Thermal Desorption

A sensitive cataluminescence-based detecting technology using nanosized Mo4V6Ti10O47 as a probe was proposed for determination of formaldehyde in air. Trace formaldehyde was firstly absorbed on active carbon at room temperature to concentrate, then desorbed at 75°C to determine. The method showed high selectivity to formaldehyde at wavelength of 575nm, satisfying activity at temperature of 260°C and good stability at carrier flow rate of 145 ml/min. The linear range of CTL intensity versus concentration of formaldehyde was 0.04~78 mg/m3, and the detection limit (3σ) was 0.02 mg/m3. The recovery of artificial sample was 96.8%-103.4% by this method. There was no response to CO, CO2, SO2, NH3, methanol, ethanol, benzene, toluene and xylenes.