Optimization of the technology for designing sensitive gas sensors based on zinc oxide using a sol-gel method

Abstract

This paper has investigated the nanostructured samples of zinc oxide intended for use as a gas sensor. Experimental samples were obtained by the economical sol-gel method, suitable for large-scale production. The dependence of the efficiency of gas sensors based on zinc oxide on temperature was established. The electrical properties of experimental samples were investigated in the air in the range of values of the initial voltage of 5–30 V and at temperatures of 320, 370, and 450 K. It was established that the current-voltage characteristic for nanosized zinc oxide is non-ohmic, but the nature of the curves can change due to an increase in the operating temperature. The obtained experimental dependences are explained by the peculiarities of the morphology of the obtained nanostructured zinc oxide, which affects the value of the contact resistance in the structure. A large number of nanoscale particles leads to an increase in the number of energy barriers, which negatively affects the sensitivity of experimental samples to the gaseous medium. The study of the sensitivity of samples to the established gaseous medium, namely 100 ppm CO, was carried out. The electrical conductivity of zinc oxide is determined by oxygen vacancies that are electron donors, and, accordingly, the conductivity activation energy is determined by the donor levels formed by vacancies in the ZnO forbidden zone. During heating, there is a decrease in the resistance of the sample with increasing temperature; electrical conductivity is determined by the thermal generation of electrons. Understanding the dependence of the sensor sensitivity on temperature and the use of sensitive ZnO layers of different morphology will make it possible to recognize gaseous components in a complex mixture.