Au-modified three-dimensionally ordered macroporous ZnO:In for high-performance ethanol sensors. Issue 8 (29th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Zhihua; Tian, Ziwei; Han, Dongmei; Gu, Fubo
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 8:Issue 8(2020)
• Page Start: 2812
• Page End: 2819
• Publication Date: 2020-01-29
• Subjects: Materials -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Optical materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Electronics -- Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c9tc06750g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7526

Abstract

Abstract : Au-modified three-dimensionally ordered macroporous ZnO:In with very low Au content exhibited high sensitivity to ethanol. Abstract : In this paper, Au-modified three-dimensionally ordered macroporous ZnO:In (3DOM Au–ZnO:In) was synthesized by a one-pot method using a PMMA colloidal crystal template. The 3DOM ZnO:In with uniformly dispersed Au had large specific surface areas and highly ordered pore structures. The ethanol-sensing properties of 3DOM Au–ZnO:In were investigated and the sensor based on the 0.050 mol% Au-loaded 3DOM ZnO:In exhibited the highest sensitivity (∼240) to 100 ppm ethanol at the optimum operating temperature of 250 °C. Moreover, the fabricated sensor exhibited excellent selectivity and good stability. Therefore, the Au-modified 3DOM ZnO:In is a promising material for a novel ethanol sensor. The reason for the improvement of the sensitivity was investigated. The large surface area of the 3DOM structure was beneficial for gas adsorption and transfer, and In-doping can increase the electron carrier concentration. Moreover, Au modification enhanced the content of adsorbed oxygen, and thus resulted in a thick depletion layer and high sensitivity.