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Optimization of Pd content in ZnO microstructures for high-performance gas detection

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Abstract

Pure ZnO and Pd/ZnO microstructures were prepared by hydrothermal method. The crystalline structures, morphology, and composition of synthesized hexagon hammer Pd/ZnO microstructures were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). They were then studied for gas detection in order to achieve the optimal concentration of Pd in ZnO. Our results show that overall the Pd/ZnO microstructures have a better performance for ethanol detection comparing to the one without Pd, including a better sensitivity, a decreased operating temperature, and a shortened response/recovery time. At the optimal Pd concentration of 0.25 wt%, we observed a sensitivity enhancement of 3.5 times larger than that of ZnO without doping and a response and recovery time of 10 and 7 s, respectively. Moreover, the Pd/ZnO sensors could show a high selectivity and an excellent chemical stability, thereby providing a way to improve the gas sensing performances.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51205274 and 51205273), the Shanxi Province Science Foundation for Youths (Grant No. 2013021017-2), the Shanxi Scholarship Council of China (Grant No. 2013-035), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant No. 2013M530894), Technology Foundation for Selected Overseas Shanxi Scholar ([2014]95), Science and Technology Major Project of the Shanxi Science and Technology Department (Grant No. 20121101004), and Key Disciplines Construction in Colleges and Universities of Shanxi (Grant No. [2012] 45).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Micro and Nano System Research Center, Information Engineering College, Taiyuan University of Technology, No. 79 West Yingze Street, Taiyuan, 030024, People’s Republic of China

    Jie Hu, Fanqin Gao, Shengbo Sang, Pengwei Li, Xiao Deng, Wendong Zhang & Kun Lian

  2. Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, People’s Republic of China

    Yong Chen

  3. J. Bennett Johnston Sr., Center for Advanced Microstructures & Devices, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70806, USA

    Kun Lian

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  1. Jie Hu
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  2. Fanqin Gao
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  4. Pengwei Li
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  7. Yong Chen
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Correspondence to Jie Hu or Kun Lian.

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Hu, J., Gao, F., Sang, S. et al. Optimization of Pd content in ZnO microstructures for high-performance gas detection. J Mater Sci 50, 1935–1942 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-014-8758-2

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