LAUSR

The newly-emerged gas-sensing detection of 3-Hydroxy-2-Butanone (3H-2B) biomarker is deemed as an effective avenue to indirectly monitor Listeria Monocytogenes (LM). However, 3H-2B sensing materials requiring critically high sensitivity and selectivity, and ppb-level detection limit, remain challenging. Here, we report the advanced gas sensors built with bismuth vanadate micro-decahedrons (BiVO4 MDCDs) {010} facets selectively decorated with Pd nanoparticles (Pd NPs, Pd-{010}BiVO4 MDCDs), for boosted detection of 3H-2B biomarker. Meanwhile, BiVO4 MDCDs with overall facets are randomly deposited with Pd NPs (Pd-BiVO4 MDCDs). Comparatively, Pd-{010}BiVO4 MDCDs sensors show one order of magnitude higher response towards 3H-2B biomarker at 200 oC. Further, Pd-{010}BiVO4 MDCDs sensors enable to detect as low as 0.2 ppm 3H-2B, and manifest the best selectivity and stability, and the fastest response and recovery. Density-function-theory calculations reveal lower adsorption energy of 3H-2B onto Pd-{010}BiVO4 MDCDs than those of pristine and Pd-BiVO4 MDCDs. The extraordinary Pd-{010}BiVO4 sensing performance is ascribed to Pd NPs-assisted synergetic effect of the preferential adsorption of 3H-2B target molecules, accumulated sensing agent of ionic oxygen species, and concentrated catalysts on the {010} facets. This strategy offers rapid and noninvasive detection of LMs, and are thus of great potential in the upcoming Internet of Things.