Abstract
In the present investigation, electron beam-influenced modifications on the CO gas sensing properties of indium doped ZnO (IZO) thin films were reported. Dose rates of 5, 10, and 15 kGy were irradiated to the IZO nano films while maintaining the In doping concentration to be 15 wt%. The wurtzite structure of IZO films is observed from XRD studies post electron beam irradiation, confirming structural stability, even in the intense radiation environment. The surface morphological studies by SEM confirms the granular structure with distinct and sharp grain boundaries for 5 kGy and 10 kGy irradiated films whereas the IZO film irradiated at 15 kGy shows the deterioration of defined grains. The presence of defects viz oxygen vacancies, interstitials are recorded from room temperature photoluminescence (RTPL) studies. The CO gas sensing estimations were executed at an optimized operating temperature of 300 °C for 1 ppm, 2 ppm, 3 ppm, 4 ppm, and 5 ppm. The 10 kGy treated IZO film displayed an enhanced sensor response of 2.61 towards low concentrations of 1 ppm and 4.35 towards 5 ppm. The enhancement in sensor response after irradiation is assigned to the growth in oxygen vacancies and well-defined grain boundaries since the former and latter act as vital adsorption locations for the CO gas.
Highlights
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, making it enormously dangerous to human life [1,2]
We explored the role of indium (In) doping to ZnO thin films prepared by means of the low-cost spray pyrolysis technique in tuning CO gas sensing properties [24]
Since a selective nature was shown by irradiated films, we further investigated the towards CO was shown by irradiated ZnO and unirradiated indium doped ZnO (IZO) films, we further invesCO gas sensitivity exhibited by irradiated IZO thin films
Summary
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, making it enormously dangerous to human life [1,2]. We explored the role of indium (In) doping to ZnO thin films prepared by means of the low-cost spray pyrolysis technique in tuning CO gas sensing properties [24]. Jae-Hun Kim et al [26] studied the effect of electron beam irradiation on nano-fibred ((NFs) ZnO) for H2 detection. They noticed the formation of surface defects upon irradiation and the nanofiber irradiated with 150 kGy electron beam of energy 1 MeV exhibited excellent H2 sensing performance. The sensing of CO concentrations below 5 ppm is detected employing IZO thin films treated with electron beam irradiation as the sensing layer
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