Synthesis of ZnO nanorods and its gas-sensing property

ZnO nanorods were synthesized with ZnAc₂·2H₂O as a zinc source and dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid sodium salt (DBS) as a modifying agent via a microemulsion method. The crystal structure and morphology of the as-synthesized product were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope and high-resolution transmission electron microscope. The results show that the prepared products have a wurtzite structure. The diamerter of ZnO nanorods is in the range of 20-30 nm and the length is 1.0 μm. Gas sensors were fabricated from the well-dispersed ZnO nanorods and their gas-sensing properties were measured. ZnO nanorods sensors had a good sensitivity/selectivity to acetone gas at 430°C. The sensing response of the ZnO nanorods sensor to 1.0×10^-5 acetone gas could reach 11.