Abstract
We introduced a new approach to enhance the sensing performance of sensors based on metal oxide semiconductors. We synthesized In-doped ZnO quantum dots (IZO QDs) by a hydrothermal method and fabricated line-patterned IZO QD layers with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molds. Additional hydrothermal growth was conducted to create ZnO nanocolumns (NCs) on the patterned surfaces. Thus, drop-cast and line-patterned sensors and line-patterned samples with NCs grown for 0.5 h (NC(0.5 h)/Line) and 4 h (NC(4 h)/Line) were prepared. Among these four different sensors, the NC(0.5 h)/Line sensor exhibited an excellent response of 26,000 with fast response times of less than 1 s to 10 ppm of acetone. In addition, the detection limit was approximately 0.1 ppm of acetone, and the resistance was almost constant even after repeatability tests. According to UV–vis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analyses, the extraordinary sensing characteristics of NC(0.5 h)/Line were mainly because this sensor had the largest optical band energy and the highest ratio of oxygen vacancies among the tested sensors. On the other hand, the NC(4 h)/Line sensor showed the lowest response of the four sensors. During the long-term growth of NCs, [sbnd]OH groups are produced on the surface of the material, and Zn(OH)2 NCs are formed instead of ZnO NCs, resulting in a large decrease in the carrier concentration and active sites. In conclusion, we developed highly sensitive acetone sensors by constructing special morphologies.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 129131 |
Journal | Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical |
Volume | 329 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 Feb 15 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This research was supported by the Basic Science Research Program ( 2017M3A9F1052297 ) and the Priority Research Centers Program ( 2019R1A6A1A11055660 ) funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF). This research was also supported by the Medium and Large Complex Technology Commercialization Project ( 2019K000045 ) of the Commercialization Promotion Agency for R&D Outcomes (COMPA) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) .
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Instrumentation
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Metals and Alloys
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Materials Chemistry