Abstract
Three-dimensional hierarchical SnO2/ZnO hetero-nanofibers were fabricated by the electrospinning method followed with a low-temperature water bath treatment. These hierarchical hollow SnO2 nanofibers were assembled by the SnO2 nanoparticles through the electrospinning process and then the ZnO nanorods were grown vertically on the surface of SnO2 nanoparticles, forming the 3D nanostructure. The synthesized hollow SnO2/ZnO heterojunctions nanofibers were further employed to be a gas-sensing material for detection of volatile organic compound (VOC) species such as acetone vapor, which is proposed as a gas biomarker for diabetes. It shows that the heterojunction nanofibers-based sensor exhibited excellent sensing properties to acetone vapor. The sensor shows a good selectivity to acetone in the interfering gases of ethanol, ammonia, formaldehyde, toluene, and methanol. The enhanced sensing performance may be due to the fact that n-n 3D heterojunctions, existing at the interface between ZnO nanorods and SnO2 particles in the SnO2/ZnO nanocomposites, could prompt significant changes in potential barrier height when exposed to acetone vapor, and gas-sensing mechanisms were analyzed and explained by Schottky barrier changes in SnO2/ZnO 3D hetero-nanofibers.
Highlights
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exist in the earth’s atmosphere from a variety of sources, which are closely related to breathing and the living environment of human beings
An electrospinning followed by a low-temperature water bath method was designed for constructing electrospun SnO2/ZnO 3D hetero-nanofibers
ZnO nanorods grow on the hierarchical hollow electrospun SnO2 nanofibers to form SnO2/ZnO 3D hetero-nanofibers
Summary
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exist in the earth’s atmosphere from a variety of sources, which are closely related to breathing and the living environment of human beings. The detecting techniques and respective approaches for VOCs still require improvement when applied in the area of medicine and the environment. Metal oxide semiconductor sensors are widely used in the detection of VOCs due to rapid response, high sensitivity, good stability, small size, and simple operation. In order to improve the semiconductor gas sensor for the VOCs recognition and response, researchers are devoted to improving the preparation method for metal oxides. Electrospinning is a simple and effective method to prepare nanofibers [1]. A variety of electrospun nanofibers exhibit interesting physical and chemical characteristics and provide a large specific surface area, suitable porosity, fine fibrous structure, high mechanical flexibility, and strong maneuverability [2–4]. Electrospinning technology has greatly expanded its ability from preparation of organic polymeric nanofibers [2,5,6] to synthesis of various inorganic and semiconductor-based nanofibers, such as SnO2 [7], In2O3 [8], TiO2 [9], WO3 [10], ZnO [11], NiO [12], BaTiO3 [13,14], and so on
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