Polarity-enhanced gas-sensing performance of Au-loaded ZnO nanospindles synthesized via precipitation and microwave irradiation

• Published in: Electronic materials letters Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. 411 - 418
• Main Authors: Li, Yan, Lv, Tan, Zhao, Fang-Xian, Lian, Xiao-Xue, Zou, Yun-Ling, Wang, Qiong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Seoul The Korean Institute of Metals and Materials 01.05.2016; Springer Nature B.V; 대한금속·재료학회
• Subjects: Acetone; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Materials Science; Nanotechnology; Nanotechnology and Microengineering; Noble metals; Optical and Electronic Materials; Scanning electron microscopy; X-ray diffraction; Zinc oxide; 전자/정보통신공학; gas sensing; mechanism; Au modification; zinc oxide; nanospindle; acetone sensor
• ISSN: 1738-8090; 2093-6788
• DOI: 10.1007/s13391-016-5391-z

Loading noble metal and exploring suitable morphology to achieve excellent gas-sensing performance is very crucial for the fabrication of gas sensors. We have successfully synthesized Au-loaded ZnO (Au/ZnO) nanospindles (NSs) through a really facile procedure involving a precipitation and subsequent microwave irradiation. The as-prepared products have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM). The formation and gas-sensing mechanism of Au/ZnO NSs were discussed. The SEM micrographs revealed an interesting morphological evolution of the Au/ZnO NSs with Au-loading content ranging from 0 at. % to 7 at. %. The nanostructures were employed for gas-sensing measurement toward various gases. It indicated that the Au/ZnO NSs based sensor showed a highly enhanced response (226.81) to 400 ppm acetone gas at a relatively low working temperature (270°C), and exhibited a fast response (1 s) and recovery speed (10 s). The highly enhanced acetone gas sensitivity of Au/ZnO NSs based sensor could be attributed to its enhanced polarity owing to the peculiar morphology, Schottcky barriers, as well as catalytic effect of Au NPs.