Erratum to: Polarity-enhanced gas-sensing performance of Au-loaded ZnO nanospindles synthesized via precipitation and microwave irradiation

Abstract

Loading noble metal and exploring suitable morphology to achieve excellent gas-sensing performance is very crucial for the fabrication of gas sensors. We have successfully synthesized Au-loaded ZnO (Au/ZnO) nanospindles (NSs) through a really facile procedure involving a precipitation and subsequent microwave irradiation. The as-prepared products have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM). The formation and gas-sensing mechanism of Au/ZnO NSs were discussed. The SEM micrographs revealed an interesting morphological evolution of the Au/ZnO NSs with Au-loading content ranging from 0 at. % to 7 at. %. The nanostructures were employed for gas-sensing measurement toward various gases. It indicated that the Au/ZnO NSs based sensor showed a highly enhanced response (226.81) to 400 ppm acetone gas at a relatively low working temperature (270°C), and exhibited a fast response (1 s) and recovery speed (10 s). The highly enhanced acetone gas sensitivity of Au/ZnO NSs based sensor could be attributed to its enhanced polarity owing to the peculiar morphology, Schottcky barriers, as well as catalytic effect of Au NPs.