It was found that acetone has a cataluminescence (CL) phenomenon on the surface of ZnO/WO3 nanometerials.The luminescence characteristics and effect of different parameters,such as wavelength,temperature and flow rate were discussed by a prepared CL detection system.Based on this,a sensor was designed to detect acetone in human breath of diabetes.Under the optimized conditions,the linear range of CL intensity versus concentration of acetone vapor was 0.025 9-5.18 mg/L,with a limit of detection of 0.013 mg/L.The carbon dioxide,ammonia and water vapor in the breath had no obvious interference to the detection except for the ethanol.This sensor was evaluated continuously for 60 h with 1.30 mg/L gaseous acetone,and the relative standard deviation was 36%for 26 determinations.The sensor showed a better life.