Synthesis of SnO2-nanoparticle-decorated SnSe nanosheets and their gas-sensing properties

Yuanyuan Wang,Xiaotian Li,Nan Li,Xin Liu,Haixin Zhao

doi:10.1063/5.0057064

Abstract

Selectivity is still a major problem in gas sensors. In this study, we fabricated a novel sensor material, tin oxide (SnO2) nanoparticle decorated tin selenide (SnSe) nanosheets (SnO2/SnSe), via a simple solvothermal method. SnO2 nanoparticles of size ∼10 nm were anchored on the surface of SnSe nanosheets. The gas-sensing performances of SnO2/SnSe composites calcined at different temperatures were compared. Methylbenzene-sensing performance analysis performed at different temperatures and concentrations showed that SnO2/SnSe composites exhibited preferable sensitivity, excellent selectivity, and a good response rate. The improved sensing properties, especially the selectivity, are attributed to the appropriate heterojunction of SnO2 nanoparticle decorated SnSe nanosheets.

Highlights

With the deterioration of the environment, semiconducting oxide gas sensors have attracted significant interest owing to their obvious advantages
The crystal structure and phases of the obtained sensors were identified by x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement
The diffraction peaks in the XRD pattern of SS700 are ascribed to the pure tetragonal phase of SnO2 [JCPDS card 21-1250, space group P42/mnm (136)] and orthorhombic phase of SnSe [JCPDS card 89-0236, space group Pnma(62)]

Summary

Introduction

With the deterioration of the environment, semiconducting oxide gas sensors have attracted significant interest owing to their obvious advantages. Commercial methylbenzene gas sensors have occupied a large market, their application is still not ideal owing to their low sensitivity. Methylbenzene is one of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and it is usually accompanied by other gases, such as ethanol, acetone, and benzene, which are usually emitted in low concentrations, and their emission is continuous. Two-dimensional (2D) SnSe nanostructures, including monolayer, have been synthesized via various methods and used as sensor materials owing to their high surface-to-volume ratio, high electron mobility (1.63 × 103 cm V−1 s−1), and good chemical stability under operating conditions. SnO2 is a typical n-type semiconductor with high gas sensitivity.. Only a few studies on the methylbenzene-sensing performance based on SnO2 nanoparticle decorated SnSe nanosheets have been recorded

Methods

Results

Conclusion