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Optoelectronic and Hydrogen Gas-Sensing Applications of Ultrasonically Fabricated ZnO-Au Nanoparticle-Decorated MWCNTs

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Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO)-based nanocomposites had been realized for promising photocatalytic and sensing applications. We have obtained multi-walled carbon nanotubes with a gold and ZnO (MWCNT/ZnO/Au) nanocomposite via ultrasonic assistance and studied them for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue as well as for hydrogen gas sensing. Initially, the structural studies, conducted with x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the specimens, indicated the hexagonal graphite crystal system of the MWCNT and a hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO existing in the nanocomposite. Transmission electron microscopy results indicated that the ZnO nanoparticles with an average size of 12 nm and 6-nm-sized gold nanoparticles formed on the surface of micrometer-sized long and 20-nm to 30-nm thick MWCNTs. UV–vis absorbance spectroscopic studies revealed the quantum confinement from the ZnO nanoparticles and plasmonically enhanced absorbance originating from the Au nanoparticles in the nanocomposite. Photoluminescence confirmed the inhibition of electron–hole pair recombination via the composite formation. Photocatalytic methylene blue degradation could achieved 99% efficacy with the MWCNT/ZnO/Au photocatalyst under a white light-emitting diode, and the tricomponent photocatalyst also showed better recyclability. Gas-sensing experiments conducted with the nanocomposite exhibited a low-temperature hydrogen gas sensitivity and showed the highest response at 200°C with excellent selectivity for hydrogen gas sensing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Kongunadu College of Engineering and Technology, Tiruchirappalli, 621215, India

    P. Arul

  2. Department of Computer and Communication Engineering, Sri Eshwar College of Engineering, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641202, India

    C. Vivek

  3. Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, K. Ramakrishnan College of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, 621112, India

    B. Balraj

  4. Department of Marine Engineering, Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Sriperumbudur, 602117, India

    A. Sankaran

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  1. P. Arul
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Arul, P., Vivek, C., Balraj, B. et al. Optoelectronic and Hydrogen Gas-Sensing Applications of Ultrasonically Fabricated ZnO-Au Nanoparticle-Decorated MWCNTs. J. Electron. Mater. 52, 5264–5271 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-023-10495-7

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