Enhanced H2S gas sensing utilizing UV-assisted In2O3@ZnO nanosheets

In the realm of environmental protection, there is a growing demand for efficient and environmentally friendly gas sensors. In this study, we employed a simple hydrothermal method to synthesize nanosheets composed of zinc oxide (ZnO)-doped indium oxide (In2O3), utilizing zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) as a precursor. These nanosheets demonstrated exceptional sensitivity and selectivity in detecting hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas. A comprehensive analysis of crystal structure, chemical states, elemental composition, surface area, and morphology was conducted. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurements to assess the materials' textural properties revealed that the nanosheets labeled In2O3/0.1ZnO possessed a high specific surface area of 49.02 m2/g, greater than the 45.65 m2/g of pure In2O3 nanosheets, a crucial factor contributing to the observed exceptional sensitivity and selectivity in detecting H2S gas. Particularly noteworthy is the substantial improvement in gas detection response from 109.9 to 146.2 (approximately 24.7 %) observed in the In2O3/0.1ZnO material under UV irradiation at the optimal temperature of 250 degrees C. This enhancement emphasizes the material's potential for superior gas detection. The incorporation of ZIF-8-derived ZnO nanostructures played a crucial role in creating additional active sites, further enhancing the gas-sensing capabilities. Importantly, this innovative synthesis technique ensures the production of clean, non-toxic materials, aligning with environmental conservation objectives, and holds promise for achieving heightened sensitivity and selectivity in the detection of environmentally harmful gases.