Two-dimensional net-like SnO2/ZnO heteronanostructures for high-performance H2S gas sensor

H2S gas in the environment, even at a concentration as low as 20 ppb, is very harmful to the health of human beings. Therefore, the design and fabrication of sensors for detecting trace H2S gas in the environment are highly desirable. However, it remains a challenge to develop gas sensors that can detect H2S at ppb concentration levels and at a relatively low temperature. Herein we developed a facile method to fabricate porous two-dimensional net-like SnO2/ZnO heteronanostructures. Both the SnO2 and ZnO nanoparticles were significantly smaller in the net-like heteronanostructures than in net-like SnO2 and ZnO homonanostructures. Heterojunctions formed at the interfaces between SnO2 and ZnO—and, as a result, the net-like SnO2/ZnO heteronanostructures—exhibited better H2S-sensing properties, including higher sensor response, better selectivity and long-term stability, than did the net-like SnO2 and ZnO homonanostructures, and other types of metal oxide-based nanocomposites. Importantly, the SnO2/ZnO heteronanostructures could detect 10 ppb H2S even at a working temperature of 100 °C. Therefore, the net-like SnO2/ZnO heteronanostructures have very promising applications in high-performance H2S sensors. In addition, the fabrication method presented here is facile, repeatable and operable, and may thus be extended to synthesize other types of metal oxide-based heteronanostructures for applications in various fields.

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