High Performance Room-Temperature Acetone Sensors Enabled by Fermi-Level Engineering in Au-Decorated n-Type SnS₂ Layers

TY - JOUR

T1 - High Performance Room-Temperature Acetone Sensors Enabled by Fermi-Level Engineering in Au-Decorated n-Type SnS2 Layers

AU - Huang, Rongxin

AU - Cao, Ze

AU - Chueh, Yu Chen

AU - Bau, Jen‑Yu

AU - Fuh, Huei Ru

AU - Abid, Mohamed

AU - Chang, Ching Ray

AU - Wu, Han Chun

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2026 Wiley-VCH GmbH.

PY - 2026/4/17

Y1 - 2026/4/17

N2 - Non-invasive monitoring of diabetes through exhaled acetone detection remains a challenging goal, as energy-demanding metal oxide sensors operate at elevated temperatures (>150°C). Here, we report on a room-temperature acetone sensor that harnesses interfacial Fermi-level modulation in gold nanoparticle (Au NP)-decorated n-type SnS2 layers. In contrast with pristine SnS2, which exhibits negative sensitivity due to indirect electron generation from acetone adsorption–induced band (ED), Au NP decoration effectively repositions the Fermi level below the ED. This realignment facilitates direct charge transfer between acetone molecules and the Au NP–SnS2 interface, yielding a pronounced positive sensing response. The device exhibits excellent sensitivities of 910% at 7 ppm and 344% at 0.5 ppm under zero gate voltage, with additional tunability enabled through electrostatic gating. This study demonstrates a new material-engineering strategy for achieving low-power, room-temperature molecular diagnostics, advancing the integration of breath-based sensors into future medical and wearable device technologies.

AB - Non-invasive monitoring of diabetes through exhaled acetone detection remains a challenging goal, as energy-demanding metal oxide sensors operate at elevated temperatures (>150°C). Here, we report on a room-temperature acetone sensor that harnesses interfacial Fermi-level modulation in gold nanoparticle (Au NP)-decorated n-type SnS2 layers. In contrast with pristine SnS2, which exhibits negative sensitivity due to indirect electron generation from acetone adsorption–induced band (ED), Au NP decoration effectively repositions the Fermi level below the ED. This realignment facilitates direct charge transfer between acetone molecules and the Au NP–SnS2 interface, yielding a pronounced positive sensing response. The device exhibits excellent sensitivities of 910% at 7 ppm and 344% at 0.5 ppm under zero gate voltage, with additional tunability enabled through electrostatic gating. This study demonstrates a new material-engineering strategy for achieving low-power, room-temperature molecular diagnostics, advancing the integration of breath-based sensors into future medical and wearable device technologies.

KW - SnS

KW - acetone sensor

KW - gold nanoparticle decoration

KW - layered materials

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105027670000

U2 - 10.1002/admt.202502351

DO - 10.1002/admt.202502351

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105027670000

SN - 2365-709X

VL - 11

JO - Advanced Materials Technologies

JF - Advanced Materials Technologies

IS - 8

M1 - e02351

ER -