Enhanced gas-sensing performance of Au-modified ZnO nanoparticles synthesized using bamboo cellulose as a template

Abstract Au-modified ZnO (Au/ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized using bamboo cellulose template and calcination process were characterized using X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The gas-sensing performance of Au/ZnO NPs based sensors was also examined. The results indicated that the Au/ZnO NPs exhibited enhanced gas-sensing performance compared with that of pure ZnO. The response of the Au/ZnO NPs to 100 ppm ethanol (50) at 240 °C was nearly 2.7 times higher than that to acetone (18.4) and approximately 12.5 times higher than that to benzene (4.1), carbon monoxide (1.6), hydrogen (1.6), and methane (1.8), respectively, which demonstrated their higher selectivity to ethanol versus other gases. This high response to ethanol could be attributed to the small size, Schottky barrier, and catalysis.