Synthesis of ZnO/α-Fe2O3 heterojunction nanocomposites for ultra-sensitive acetone detection

Abstract

ZnO/α-Fe2O3 nanocomposites with ultra-sensitive response to acetone were successfully prepared by hydrothermal and solvothermal methods. The synthesized materials were characterized by SEM, TEM, XPS and other means, and the results indicated that a good heterojunction was constructed between α-Fe2O3 nanorods and ZnO nanosheet particles. The results obtained by gas sensing tests show that compared with pure α-Fe2O3 and pure ZnO, ZnO/α-Fe2O3(S-2) sensor has superior performance, and it exhibits high response (Ra/Rg = 62.8), fast response and recovery time (4 s and 10 s) to 100 ppm acetone at 220 °C. The n-n heterojunction effect and structural characteristics are the main reasons for the performance improvement. The nanocomposites have broad application prospects in the field of acetone detection.