Rhombic ZnO nanosheets modified with Pd nanoparticles for enhanced ethanol sensing performances: An experimental and DFT investigation

Publication date: Available online 12 August 2019Source: Journal of Physics and Chemistry of SolidsAuthor(s): Yong-Hui Zhang, Yu-Liang Li, Xin-Ran Shen, Ke-Fei Xie, Tian-Yu Li, Jiu-Nan Zhao, Qiao-Juan Jia, Fei-Long Gong, Shao-Ming FangAbstractThe rhombic ZnO nanosheets were prepared via a facile and controllable hydrothermal method. The porous Pd@ZnO material was produced by annealing at 400 °C for 2 h. The Pd@ZnO (0.2 wt%) exhibits 4.3 times higher response (142.2 for ethanol with 200 ppm) than the pure ZnO, and shorter response-recovery time (13 s/9 s). The DFT calculation shows that the rhombic ZnO nanosheets exhibit reduced band gap and high adsorption energy by introducing Pd atom. The enhanced gas sensing properties could be attributed to the superior catalytic capacity of Pd nanoparticles and the tunable band structure of the ZnO nanosheet.
Source: Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids - Category: Physics Source Type: research