Abstract
Nanomaterials with unusual architectures or morphologies often exhibit novel functional properties. Here, we apply a simple two-step solution method to synthesize the ZnO/SnO 2 microspheres with an average size of 1-2 μm, which exhibit a unique core-shell architecture with a uniform dispersion of SnO 2 nanoparticles on surfaces of spherical ZnO cores. We further investigate in detail the morphology evolution with reaction time, based upon which a likely growth mechanism is proposed. In property, the prepared core-shell structural ZnO/SnO 2 microspheres show excellent gas-sensing functions to ethanol gas of 50 ppm at an optimal temperature as low as 250 °C, rendering the hybrid microspheres a promising gas-sensing material for the on-site detection of ethanol.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 5-8 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Materials Letters |
Volume | 89 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2012 Dec 15 |
Keywords
- Crystal growth
- Ethanol
- Gas sensors
- Microstructure
- ZnO
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Materials Science(all)
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechanics of Materials