The rapid detection for methane of ZnO porous nanoflakes with the decoration of Ag nanoparticles

Abstract

Realizing the real-time detection of CH₄ is important for the safety of human life. A facile hydrothermal method was used to synthesize Ag nanoparticles-decorated ZnO porous nanoflakes (PNFs) in this study. The characterization results confirmed that Ag nanoparticles had been decorated in ZnO nanoflakes with the thickness of ~10 nm. The gas-sensing properties of Ag-decorated ZnO nanoflakes were also investigated. While the gas-sensing performances of ZnO were remarkably improved by decorating Ag nanoparticles on the surface of ZnO nanoflakes, the response of the Ag-decorated ZnO sensor to 3000 ppm CH₄ is almost 1.3 times as high as that of pristine ZnO sensor. The obtained Ag/ZnO sensor exhibits better long-term stability and shorter response recovery time (5/38 s) in the comparison with pristine ZnO, demonstrating the possibility for the actual detection of CH₄. The enhanced CH₄ sensing performance can be attributed to the synergism between the unique hierarchical porous structure and the sensitizing actions utilized by the Ag nanoparticles.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

hierarchical structure / ZnO porous nanoflake / Ag nanoparticle / methane sensitivity

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