Enhanced ethanol gas sensing performance of ZnO nanoflowers decorated with LaMnO 3 perovskite nanoparticles

Abstract ZnO nanoflowers synthesized via a hydrothermal route were decorated with LaMnO3 perovskite oxide and the gas sensing performance was studied. The perovskite particles had a size of several to tens of nanometers, and were uniformly adhered to the smooth surface of ZnO nanoflowers. In comparison with the pristine ZnO sensor, 1 wt% LaMnO3 decoration led to significantly enhanced ethanol sensing performance. The response of the LaMnO3@ZnO sensor to ethanol gas was increased by 74% and the response time was reduced by ∼5 times. Moreover, lower optimal working temperature, higher sensitivity, much faster recovery speed, and improved ethanol selectivity were achieved. The greatly improved ethanol sensing performance of the LaMnO3@ZnO sensor may be ascribed to formation of p-n heterojunction and the excellent catalytic activity to oxygen reduction reaction of LaMnO3.