Chemical spray pyrolysis deposited ZnO/ZIF-8 and cobalt doped ZnO/ZIF-8 composite thin films for highly sensitive and selective ammonia sensing at room temperature

ZnO is a widely studied metal oxide for gas sensor applications concerning its biocompatibility and physiochemical properties. However, the high operating temperature and low response are drawbacks. ZIF-8, the metal-organic framework of Zinc and imidazolate, is renowned for its gas adsorption property. The poor stability of ZIF-8 also limits its application as an effective gas sensor. Thus, a composite thin film of ZnO and ZIF-8 is deposited on a glass substrate using the chemical spray pyrolysis technique to detect ammonia at room temperature (300 K). The composite thin film is stable, has a good response, and is repeatable. Further, to enhance the sensor response at room temperature, Co is doped to the ZnO/ZIF-8 composite thin films. The sensor response for 1 ppm of ammonia for the Co doped ZnO/ZIF-8 is 301 at room temperature. Along with the gas adsorption capability of ZIF-8 providing more active sites, the change in morphology from flakes to spherical grains on doping with Co provided higher active surface area and free electrons and all together instigated fast redox reaction and conduction mechanism in ZnO. Hence, the Co doped ZnO/ZIF-8 composite thin films have an enhanced response of 117,285 to 50 ppm of ammonia.