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Single Cu Atom Sites on Co3O4 Activate Interfacial Oxygen for Enhanced Reactivity and Selective Gas Sensing at Low Temperature

Researchers have anchored atomically dispersed copper atoms (1.42 wt.%) onto Co3O4 nanoparticles, creating Cu–O–Co interfacial linkages that dramatically lower the temperature needed to activate lattice oxygen. This structural tweak yields more than a twenty‑fold increase in low‑temperature formaldehyde sensing compared with conventional CuO nanoparticle coatings. The Cu1‑Co3O4 sensor detects formaldehyde down to 5 ppb at 75 °C and 50 % relative humidity while maintaining high selectivity. The work demonstrates that earth‑abundant single‑atom sites can replace noble metals for high‑performance, energy‑efficient gas sensors.