Investigation of the gas-sensitive properties for methanol detection based on ZnO/SnO2 heterostructure

Abstract

The ZnO/SnO2 composites were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. The composite materials are composed of SnO2 nanoparticles and the ZnO nanorods, presenting an agglomerate state that the SnO2 particles was adhered to the surface of the ZnO nanorods. By optimizing the ratio of Zn and Sn atom, it was shown that the composite can be used in high-performance gas sensor. The response of the sensor is up to 80 when the concentration of methanol gas is 100 ppm. The limit of detection is as low as 1 ppm. Furthermore, the sensor has a relatively low optimal operation temperature of 200 °C. The excellent sensing properties are also discussed, which are largely attributed to the facile electronic interaction between SnO2 and ZnO.