Influence of Sn4+ substitution on the ZnO crystal structure and their enhanced fibre optic gas sensing and photocatalytic degradation performance

Abstract

An efficient ZnO specimen with Sn4+ substitution was synthesized through facile co-precipitation method, and the specimens were characterized well with sophisticated instruments. The Sn4+ substituent performed a key function in narrowing the band gap and inhibiting the rate of photogenerated electro-hole recombination. The obtained 5% Sn4+ doped ZnO spcimen exhibits excellent photocatalytic performance of organic dye degradation, which was obviously superior than other syntheiszed catalysts. Gas sensing properties of bare ZnO and Snsubstituted ZnO were studied using clad modified fiber optic gas sensor. The different concentrations from 0 to 500 ppm of ammonia, methanol and ethanol were used for gas sensing measurement and results showed that the 5% Sn4+ doped ZnO catalyst had the greatest gas-sensing activity on ethanol. The findings of this work revealed that Sn4+ substitution for Zn2+ may provide an alternate strategy to improving ZnO gas sensing and photocatalytic activity.