Shape-controlled ZnO Nanostructures for Gas Sensing Applications

International audienceIn order to increase the sensitivity and selectivity of semiconducting gas sensors, we have integrated three different ZnO nanostructures as sensitive layers on silicon chips: cloudy-like nanoparticles, isotropic nanoparticles and nanorods. We have compared their response towards three gases, namely CO, C3H8, and NH3. The morphology of ZnO nanostructures significantly influences the sensors responses to the reducing gases. These results demonstrate that sensor performance can be improved using the same sensitive material and by modifying only its shape this opens the way to new arrays of selective gas sensors