Development of gas sensors using ZnO nanostructures

Abstract

Different ZnO nanostructures such as nanowires, nanobelts and tetrapods have been grown and used for preparation of thick film (with random grain boundaries) as well as isolated nanowire/ nanobelt gas sensors. Sensitivity of different type of sensors has been studied to H2S and NO gases. The results show that the response of ZnO sensors to H2S arises from grain boundary only whereas both grain boundaries and intragrain resistances contribute towards response to NO. In addition, oxygen vacancies in the lattice were also seen to help in improvement of sensor response. Room temperature operating H2S and NO sensors based on ZnO nanowires have been demonstrated. Further, sensors based on isolated nanobelts were found to be highly selective in their response to NO. © Indian Academy of Sciences.