Chemically synthesized ZnO nanocrystal-based ethylene sensor operative at natural humid condition

• Published in: Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Vol. 128; no. 11
• Main Authors: Das, Kaustuv, Jana, Bijoy, Pramanik, Mousumi, Mallick, Mintu, Das, Jayati, Sengupta, Joydip
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.11.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied physics; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical precipitation; Chemical synthesis; Condensed Matter Physics; Density functional theory; Ethylene; First principles; Gas sensors; Machines; Manufacturing; Materials science; Nanocrystals; Nanotechnology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Processes; Relative humidity; Room temperature; Semiconductor materials; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; Zinc oxide; Response; ZnO; Gas sensors; Nanocrystal; Ethylene
• ISSN: 0947-8396; 1432-0630
• DOI: 10.1007/s00339-022-06110-x

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a versatile semiconductor material having potential application in sensing areas. Ethylene detection is of great significance in the field of agriculture to reduce losses during the storage of fruits and vegetables. In this study, ZnO nanocrystals were synthesized by the chemical co-precipitation method and utilized as ethylene sensors. ZnO nanocrystal-based sensor demonstrated a large response of 11.7 at room temperature and ~ 70% relative humidity. The limit of detection of the ZnO nanocrystal-based sensor was 10 ppm for ethylene gas. The adsorption performance was simulated via the first-principles study based on the density functional theory to explain the sensing mechanism. The results indicated that the ZnO nanocrystal-based sensor has the potential to be used as a low-cost and efficient ethylene gas sensor.