ZnO Nanowires-C Microfiber Hybrid Nanosensor for Liquefied Petroleum Gas Detection

Le DTT;Iannotta S;Hieu NV;Corradi C;Huy TQ;Pola M;Tonezzer M

Ultimo

2014-01-01

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Abstract

Zinc oxide nanowires are integrated onto carbon microfibers using a two-step approach which includes electrochemical deposition of zinc and its thermal oxidation. Such nano-on-micro hybrid architecture is then used as resistive gas sensor. Some properties like mechanical flexibility, low cost and large-area fabrication make this design appealing for different applications. The huge surface-to-volume ratio of such structure comes from being structured at both microscale and nanoscale (ZnO nanowires and C microfiber) and leads to a strong and rapid response/recovery times when it is used as a gas sensor. The fabrication process of the ZnO-mu C device is very simple and doesn't involve any expensive lithographic step. The sensors show excellent liquefied petroleum gas sensing properties, with very fast response on gas exposure (about 3 s) and very good reversibility (less than 2%). In addition, the carbon microfiber substrate allows the use of the ZnO-mu C sensor also in applications where flexibility is required (for example integrated in fabric).