Preparation and characterization of ZnO/CoNiO2 hollow nanofibers by electrospinning method with enhanced gas sensing properties

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 702; pp. 20 - 30
• Main Authors: Alali, Khaled Tawfik, Liu, Tie, Liu, Jingyuan, Liu, Qi, Fertassi, Meriem Amina, Li, Zhanshuang, Wang, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 25.04.2017
• Subjects: Ammonia vapors; Electrospinning technology; Gas sensors; Nanocomposites; ZnO/CoNiO2 hollow nanofibers; Electrospinning technology; Ammonia vapors; Nanocomposites; Gas sensors; ZnO/CoNiO2 hollow nanofibers
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2017.01.167

ZnO nanofibers, ZnO/CoNiO2 nanofibers, and ZnO/CoNiO2 hollow nanofibers have been successfully synthesized by an electrospinning method and post calcination treatment. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solution and polystyrene (PS) solution were chosen as a facility to form core-sheath nanofibers after spinning of two precursor solutions together. The structure and composition of ZnO nanofibers (nfs), ZnO/CoNiO2 nanofibers (nfs) and ZnO/CoNiO2 nanotubes (nts) are confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). High response (240), rapid response (8 s) and recovery (11 s) behaviors with regard to ammonia gas have been successfully achieved from ZnO/CoNiO2 hollow nanofibers to 100 ppm concentration test gas at an optimal temperature of 220 °C. Response (40) at low temperature (80 °C) has clearly observed. Large specific surface areas were achieved by increase of porosity and shrinkage in diameter of ZnO/CoNiO2 hollow nanofibers. •ZnO/CoNiO2 hollow nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning technology.•The structures and morphologies were characterized of as-prepared materials.•ZnO/CoNiO2 hollow nanofibers have high selectivity of ammonia among various gases.•Rapid response-recovery times have detected toward 100 ppm ammonia vapour.•A promising gas sensor performance has identified with response of 40 at 80 °C.