Facile synthesis of Ni-doped SnO₂ nanorods and their high gas sensitivity to isopropanol

Abstract

In this work, pure SnO₂ and Ni-doped SnO₂ nanorods were synthesized through a one-step template-free hydrothermal method and then used to detect isopropanol. Sensors fabricated with the Ni-doped SnO₂ nanocomposites showed the best gas sensing performance when the Ni doping amount was 1.5 mol.%. The response reached 250 at 225 °C, which was approximately 8.3 times higher than that of the pure SnO₂ nanorods. The limit of detection for isopropanol was as low as 10 ppb at the optimum working temperature. In addition, it also displayed good selectivity and excellent reproducibility. It is believed that the enhanced isopropanol sensing behavior benefit from the increased oxygen defects and larger specific surface area by Ni doping.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

template-free hydrothermal method / isopropanol / gas sensor / Ni doping / low detection limit

References

[1] Cai X, Hu D, Deng S, . Isopropanol sensing properties of coral-like ZnO–CdO composites by flash preparation via self-sustained decomposition of metalorganic complexes. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2014, 198: 402–410

[2] Hu D, Han B, Deng S, . Novel mixed phase SnO₂ nanorods assembled with SnO₂ nanocrystals for enhancing gas-sensing performance toward isopropanol gas. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2014, 118(18): 9832–9840

[3] Chien P J, Suzuki T, Tsujii M, . Bio-sniffer (gas-phase biosensor) with secondary alcohol dehydrogenase (S-ADH) for determination of isopropanol in exhaled air as a potential volatile biomarker. Biosensors & Bioelectronics, 2017, 91: 341–346

[4] Jiang L, Wang C, Wang J, . Ultrathin BiVO₄ nanosheets sensing electrode for isopropanol sensor based on pyrochlore-Gd₂Zr₂O₇ solid state electrolyte. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2020, 321: 128478

[5] Dong C, Liu X, Xiao X, . Combustion synthesis of porous Pt-functionalized SnO₂ sheets for isopropanol gas detection with a significant enhancement in response. Journal of Materials Chemistry A: Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2014, 2(47): 20089–20095

[6] Acharyya S, Jana B, Nag S, . Single resistive sensor for selective detection of multiple VOCs employing SnO₂ hollowspheres and machine learning algorithm: a proof of concept. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2020, 321: 128484

[7] Kim J H, Kim J Y, Lee J H, . Indium-implantation-induced enhancement of gas sensing behaviors of SnO₂ nanowires by the formation of homo-core–shell structure. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2020, 321: 128475

[8] Haidry A A, Xie L, Wang Z, . Hydrogen sensing and adsorption kinetics on ordered mesoporous anatase TiO₂ surface. Applied Surface Science, 2020, 500: 144219

[9] Kang Y, Kim K, Cho B, . Highly sensitive detection of benzene, toluene, and xylene based on CoPP-functionalized TiO₂ nanoparticles with low power consumption. ACS Sensors, 2020, 5(3): 754–763

[10] Zhu L, Li Y, Zeng W. Hydrothermal synthesis of hierarchical flower-like ZnO nanostructure and its enhanced ethanol gas-sensing properties. Applied Surface Science, 2018, 427: 281–287

[11] Chen Y, Zhang Y, Zhang H, . Design and evaluation of Cu-modified ZnO microspheres as a high performance formaldehyde sensor based on density functional theory. Applied Surface Science, 2020, 532: 147446

[12] Tao Z, Li Y, Zhang B, . Bi-doped urchin-like In₂O₃ hollow spheres: synthesis and improved gas sensing and visible-light photocatalytic properties. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2020, 321: 128623

[13] Jun L, Chen Q, Fu W, . Electrospun Yb-doped In₂O₃ nanofiber field-effect transistors for highly sensitive ethanol sensors. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2020, 12(34): 38425–38434

[14] Sisman O, Zappa D, Bolli E, . Influence of iron and nitrogen ion beam exposure on the gas sensing properties of CuO nanowires. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2020, 321: 128579

[15] Mnethu O, Nkosi S S, Kortidis I, . Ultra-sensitive and selective p-xylene gas sensor at low operating temperature utilizing Zn doped CuO nanoplatelets: insignificant vestiges of oxygen vacancies. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2020, 576: 364–375

[16] Cao Z, Jiang Z, Cao L, . Lattice expansion and oxygen vacancy of α-Fe₂O₃ during gas sensing. Talanta, 2021, 221: 121616

[17] Zhai C, Liu Y, Du L, . Novel malonic acid assisted synthesized porous Fe₂O₃ microspheres for ultra-fast response and recovery toward triethylamine. New Journal of Chemistry, 2020, 44(15): 5929–5936

[18] Zhang Y, Wang C, Zhao L, . Preparation of Ce-doped SnO₂ cuboids with enhanced 2-butanone sensing performance. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2021, 341: 130039

[19] Kwak C H, Woo H S, Lee J H. Selective trimethylamine sensors using Cr₂O₃-decorated SnO₂ nanowires. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2014, 204: 231–238

[20] Wang H, Chen M, Rong Q, . Ultrasensitive xylene gas sensor based on flower-like SnO₂/Co₃O₄ nanorods composites prepared by facile two-step synthesis method. Nanotechnology, 2020, 31(25): 255501

[21] Shan H, Liu C, Liu L, . Excellent toluene sensing properties of SnO₂–Fe₂O₃ interconnected nanotubes. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2013, 5(13): 6376–6380

[22] Yang T, Gu K, Zhu M, . ZnO–SnO₂ heterojunction nanobelts: synthesis and ultraviolet light irradiation to improve the triethylamine sensing properties. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2019, 279: 410–417

[23] Liu Y, Li X, Wang Y, . Hydrothermal synthesis of Au@SnO₂ hierarchical hollow microspheres for ethanol detection. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2020, 319: 128299

[24] Choi S W, Katoch A, Sun G J, . NO₂-sensing performance of SnO₂ microrods by functionalization of Ag nanoparticles. Journal of Materials Chemistry C: Materials for Optical and Electronic Devices, 2013, 1(16): 2834–2841

[25] Xue D, Wang P, Zhang Z, . Enhanced methane sensing property of flower-like SnO₂ doped by Pt nanoparticles: a combined experimental and first-principle study. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2019, 296: 126710

[26] Cai Z, Park S. Synthesis of Pd nanoparticle-decorated SnO₂ nanowires and determination of the optimum quantity of Pd nanoparticles for highly sensitive and selective hydrogen gas sensor. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2020, 322: 128651

[27] Li Z, Yi J. Enhanced ethanol sensing of Ni-doped SnO₂ hollow spheres synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal method. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2017, 243: 96–103

[28] Das S, Girija K G, Debnath A K, . Enhanced NO₂ and SO₂ sensor response under ambient conditions by polyol synthesized Ni doped SnO₂ nanoparticles. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2021, 854: 157276

[29] Xiao L, Shu S, Liu S. A facile synthesis of Pd-doped SnO₂ hollow microcubes with enhanced sensing performance. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2015, 221: 20–126

[30] Shu S, Wang M, Wei Y, . Synthesis of surface layered hierarchical octahedral-like structured Zn₂SnO₄/SnO₂ with excellent sensing properties toward HCHO. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2017, 243: 1171–1180

[31] Bi W, Wang W, Liu S. Synthesis of Rh-SnO₂ nanosheets and ultra-high triethylamine sensing performance. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2020, 817: 152730

[32] Xiao L, Xu S, Yu G, . Efficient hierarchical mixed Pd/SnO₂ porous architecture deposited microheater for low power ethanol gas sensor. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2018, 255: 2002–2010

[33] Castro R H R, Hidalgo P, Muccillo R, . Microstructure and structure of NiO–SnO₂ and Fe₂O₃–SnO₂ systems. Applied Surface Science, 2003, 214(1–4): 172–177

[34] Lin Z, Li N, Chen Z, . The effect of Ni doping concentration on the gas sensing properties of Ni doped SnO₂. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2017, 239: 501–510

[35] Hu J, Wang T, Wang Y, . Enhanced formaldehyde detection based on Ni doping of SnO₂ nanoparticles by one-step synthesis. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2018, 263: 120–128

[36] Meng D, Liu D Y, Wang G S, . Low-temperature formaldehyde gas sensors based on NiO–SnO₂ heterojunction microflowers assembled by thin porous nanosheets. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2018, 273: 418–428

[37] Liu X, Zhang J, Guo X, . Enhanced sensor response of Ni-doped SnO₂ hollow spheres. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2011, 152(2): 162–167

[38] Wang Y, Xiong G, Liu X, . Structure and reducibility of NiO–MoO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts: effects of loading and molar ratio. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2008, 112(44): 17265–17271

[39] Wang Z, Li Z, Sun J, . Improved hydrogen monitoring properties based on p-NiO/n-SnO₂ heterojunction composite nanofibers. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2010, 114(13): 6100–6105

[40] Zhao B, Guo X, Zhao W, . Yolk–shell Ni@SnO₂ composites with a designable interspace to improve the electromagnetic wave absorption properties. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2016, 8(42): 28917–28925

[41] Xu S, Gao J, Wang L, . Role of the heterojunctions in In₂O₃-composite SnO₂ nanorod sensors and their remarkable gas-sensing performance for NO_x at room temperature. Nanoscale, 2015, 7(35): 14643–14651

[42] Lu J, Xie Y, Luo F, . Heterostructures of mesoporous hollow Zn₂SnO₄/SnO₂ microboxes for high-performance acetone sensors. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2020, 844: 155788

[43] Zhu Z, Zheng L, Zheng S, . Multichannel pathway-enriched mesoporous NiO nanocuboids for the highly sensitive and selective detection of 3-hydroxy-2-butanone biomarkers. Journal of Materials Chemistry A: Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2019, 7(17): 10456–10463

[44] Wang J, Hu C, Xia Y, . Mesoporous ZnO nanosheets with rich surface oxygen vacancies for UV-activated methane gas sensing at room temperature. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2021, 333: 129547

[45] Qin S, Tang P, Feng Y, . Novel ultrathin mesoporous ZnO–SnO₂ n–n heterojunction nanosheets with high sensitivity to ethanol. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2020, 309: 127801

[46] Poloju M, Jayababu N, Manikandan E, . Enhancement of the isopropanol gas sensing performance of SnO₂/ZnO core/shell nanocomposites. Journal of Materials Chemistry C: Materials for Optical and Electronic Devices, 2017, 5(10): 2662–2668

[47] Li S H, Chu Z, Meng F F, . Highly sensitive gas sensor based on SnO₂ nanorings for detection of isopropanol. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2016, 688: 712–717

[48] Zhang B, Fu W, Meng X, . Synthesis of actinomorphic flower-like SnO₂ nanorods decorated with CuO nanoparticles and their improved isopropanol sensing properties. Applied Surface Science, 2018, 456: 586–593

[49] Zhao R, Wang Z, Zou T, . Synthesis and enhanced sensing performance of g-C₃N₄/SnO₂ composites toward isopropanol. Chemistry Letters, 2018, 47(7): 881–882

[50] Hu D, Han B, Han R, . SnO₂ nanorods based sensing material as an isopropanol vapor sensor. New Journal of Chemistry, 2014, 38(6): 2443–2450

[51] Zhao Y, Li Y, Wan W, . Surface defect and gas-sensing performance of the well-aligned Sm-doped SnO₂ nanoarrays. Materials Letters, 2018, 218: 22–26

[52] Sun H, Zhang C, Peng Y, . Synthesis of double-shelled SnO₂ hollow cubes for superior isopropanol sensing performance. New Journal of Chemistry, 2019, 43(12): 4721–4726

[53] Bi W, Xiao W, Liu S. Synthesis of Pt-doped SnO₂ flower-like hierarchical structure and its gas sensing properties to isopropanol. Journal of Materials Science, 2021, 56(10): 6095–6109

[54] Wang Y, Zhao Z, Sun Y, . Fabrication and gas sensing properties of Au-loaded SnO₂ composite nanoparticles for highly sensitive hydrogen detection. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2017, 240: 664–673

[55] Singkammo S, Wisitsoraat A, Sriprachuabwong C, . Electrolytically exfoliated graphene-loaded flame-made Ni-doped SnO₂ composite film for acetone sensing. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2015, 7(5): 3077–3092

[56] Sun P, Zhou X, Wang C, . One-step synthesis and gas sensing properties of hierarchical Cd-doped SnO₂ nanostructures. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2014, 190: 32–39

[57] Zhou Q, Chen W, Xu L, . Highly sensitive carbon monoxide (CO) gas sensors based on Ni and Zn doped SnO₂ nanomaterials. Ceramics International, 2018, 44(4): 4392–4399

[58] Song Z, Chen W, Zhang H, . Highly sensitive and selective acetylene sensors based on p–n heterojunction of NiO nanoparticles on flower-like ZnO structures. Ceramics International, 2019, 45(16): 19635–19643

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press