Hierarchical ZnO/CuO nanostructures for room temperature detection of carbon dioxide

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2022-03, Vol.897, p.162988, Article 162988
• Main Authors: Keerthana, S., Rathnakannan, K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon dioxide; Carbon dioxide concentration; Carbon dioxide gas; Crystal structure; Hierarchical ZnO/CuO nanostructures; High temperature; Hydrothermal crystal growth; Hydrothermal route; Nanorods; p-n heterojunction; Recovery time; Room temperature; Zinc oxide; ZnO seed layer
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2021.162988

Hierarchical ZnO/CuO nanorods were grown on RF sputtered ZnO seed layer via the hydrothermal method and their characteristics are analyzed by high resolution scanning electron microscope (HRSEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques to confirm the elemental composition, crystal structure, and morphology of the sensing material. The sensing performance of the carbon dioxide sensor was evaluated at room temperature under the various concentration of carbon dioxide gas from 150 ppm to 1000 ppm. The result obtained shows that the sensor yields a high response of 9.7 % for 1000 ppm of carbon dioxide gas with fast response and recovery time varied in the range of 1–4 min. The above results indicate the accomplishment of room temperature sensing with good reversibility and repeatability compared to conventional previously reported high temperature carbon dioxide sensors. [Display omitted] •High operating temperature deteriorate the stability of the sensor and cause degradation of sensing material over time.•Hence, we developed room temperature carbon dioxide sensor with the help of hierarchical ZnO/CuO nanorods.•The fabricated sensor exhibited good sensing response of 9.7 % for 1000 ppm CO2 gas under room temperature operation.•This illustrates the distinctive capability of the fabricated sensor for room temperature carbon dioxide detection.