Preparation of hollow SnO2/ZnO cubes for the high-performance detection of VOCs

Detecting volatile organic compounds is essential to improving the environment and human health. This study prepared a novel composite of hollow SnO2/ZnO cubes using a self-template hydrothermal method followed by a calcination process. The morphology and structure of the composites were characterized using a series of analysis techniques, and the formation mechanism of a hollow cube-like structure was explored. Compared to the hollow SnO2 cube sensor, the hollow SnO2/ZnO cube sensor exhibited a strong response (148-100 ppm formaldehyde), fast response/recovery time (15 s/25 s), good linearity (R2 = 0.995), good repeatability, and excellent stability. The superior gas sensing property of the hollow SnO2/ZnO cubes was attributed to the combined advantages of hollow structures and heterojunctions.