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Influence of defect density states on NO2 gas sensing performance of Na: ZnO thin films

  • Original Paper: Sol-gel and hybrid materials for catalytic, photoelectrochemical and sensor applications
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Abstract

In this work, the Zn1-xNaxO (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, and 0.05) thin film gas sensors were prepared via the sol-gel spin coating method to study the impact of sodium on structural, morphological, elemental, electrical, and gas sensing applications. Crystal structure (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), four-probe hall measurement, and NO2 gas sensing properties were investigated to ascertain the elemental composition, morphology, defect density states, working temperature, response/recovery time, stability, selectivity, and repeatability. The 3 wt.%Na:ZnO gas sensor displays a gas-accessible structure with more oxygen vacancies, remarkable stability, and sensitivity towards NO2 gas at an optimum temperature (210 °C). A possible gas-sensing mechanism was also discussed and correlated with structural, elemental, morphological, and electrical properties.

Graphical Abstract

Pure, 1 wt.% Na-doped, 3 wt.% Na-doped, and 5 wt.% Na-doped ZnO thin film sensors were fabricated via the sol-gel spin coating technique and exhibited a hexagonal wurtzite structure. The incorporation of Na into the ZnO matrix was confirmed by EDX and XPS analysis. The 3%Na-doped ZnO thin film exhibits more oxygen vacancies and carrier concentration. The 3%Na-doped ZnO thin film shows an enhanced gas sensing response of 22.53 against 75 ppm of NO2 gas. Good selectivity, outstanding stability, rapid response and recovery times, and excellent reproducibility are all demonstrated by the 3%Na-doped ZnO.

Highlights

  • Through sol-gel spin coating technique, pure, (1,3, and 5) wt.% Na-doped ZnO thin film sensors were fabricated and characterized.

  • 3 wt.%Na-doped ZnO thin film with porous structure exhibit more oxygen vacancies and carrier density.

  • 3%Na-doped ZnO thin film shows enhanced gas sensing performance against 75 ppm of NO2 gas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, St. Thomas’ College, Affiliated to University of Calicut, Thrissur, 680001, India

    K. K. Jasmi & T. Anto Johny

  2. Department of Instrumentation, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, 682022, India

    V. S. Siril & K. N. Madhusoodanan

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Jasmi, K.K., Anto Johny, T., Siril, V.S. et al. Influence of defect density states on NO2 gas sensing performance of Na: ZnO thin films. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 107, 659–670 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-023-06155-1

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