Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/ZnO Nanocomposites: From Plasma Synthesis to Gas Sensing Applications

2012156 citationsJournal Article

Authors

Daniela Bekermann · University of Padua

Alberto Gasparotto · University of Padua

Davide Barreca · National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology

Chiara Maccato · University of Padua

Elisabetta Comini · University of Brescia

C. Sada · National Interuniversity Consortium for the Physical Sciences of Matter

Giorgio Sberveglieri

Abstract

Herein, we describe the design, fabrication and gas sensing tests of p-Co(3)O(4)/n-ZnO nanocomposites. Specifically, arrays of (001) oriented ZnO nanoparticles were grown on alumina substrates by plasma enhanced-chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and used as templates for the subsequent PECVD of Co(3)O(4) nanograins. Structural, morphological and compositional analyses evidenced the successful formation of pure and high-area nanocomposites with a tailored overdispersion of Co(3)O(4) particles on ZnO and an intimate contact between the two oxides. Preliminary functional tests for the detection of flammable/toxic analytes (CH(3)COCH(3), CH(3)CH(2)OH, NO(2)) indicated promising sensing responses and the possibility of discriminating between reducing and oxidizing species as a function of the operating temperature.

Topics & Keywords

Gas Sensing Nanomaterials and Sensors ZnO doping and properties Transition Metal Oxide Nanomaterials

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Reduced inequalities

Publication Details

Published in: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

Volume 4, Issue 2, pp. 928-934

DOI: 10.1021/am201591w

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 9.97