Multi-shelled ZnCo2O4 yolk-shell spheres for high-performance acetone gas sensor

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 443; pp. 114 - 121
• Main Authors: Xiong, Ya, Zhu, Zongye, Ding, Degong, Lu, Wenbo, Xue, Qingzhong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.06.2018
• Subjects: Acetone gas sensor; Different morphologies; Multi-shelled ZnCo2O4; Yolk-shell spheres; Multi-shelled ZnCo2O4; Acetone gas sensor; Different morphologies; Yolk-shell spheres
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2018.02.189

Multi-shelled ZnCo2O4 yolk-shell spheres were synthesized by using carbonaceous microspheres as templates, which can effectively detect low concentrations of acetone (0.5–500 ppm) at 200 °C. [Display omitted] •Multi-shelled ZnCo2O4 yolk-shell spheres were prepared by using carbonaceous microspheres as templates.•The impacts of temperature and morphology on acetone sensing performances of ZnCo2O4 based sensor were studied.•The sensor exhibited a good linear increase of the response versus different acetone concentrations (0.5–500 ppm) In the present study, multi-shelled ZnCo2O4 yolk-shell spheres have been successfully prepared by using carbonaceous microspheres as templates. It is found that the multi-shelled ZnCo2O4 yolk-shell spheres based sensor shows optimal sensing performances (response value of 38.2, response/recovery time of 19 s/71 s) toward 500 ppm acetone at 200 °C. In addition, this sensor exhibits a low detection limit of 0.5 ppm acetone (response value of 1.36) and a good selectivity toward hydrogen, methane, ethanol, ammonia and carbon dioxide. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that acetone gas response of multi-shelled ZnCo2O4 yolk-shell spheres is significantly better than that of ZnCo2O4 nanotubes and ZnCo2O4 nanosheets. High acetone response of the multi-shelled ZnCo2O4 yolk-shell spheres is attributed to the enhanced gas accessibility of the multi-shell morphology caused by the small crystalline size and high specific surface area while the short response/recovery time is mainly related to the rapid gas diffusion determined by the highly porous structure. Our work puts forward an exciting opportunity in designing various yolk-shelled structures for multipurpose applications.