Chlorobenzene sensor based on Pt-decorated porous single-crystalline ZnO nanosheets

Detection of chlorobenzene is a challenge for metal oxide gas sensors because of its stable molecule structure. In this work, Pt-decorated porous single-crystalline ZnO nanosheets (PSC ZnO NSs) were successfully synthesized via a one-pot hydrothermal method followed by a liquid phase reduction process. The morphology and structure of the as-prepared sample were well characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) and ICP-MS analysis. From gas-sensing test, it can be found that the decoration of Pt nanoparticles largely enhanced the sensing performance of the PSC ZnO NSs. The Pt-decorated PSC ZnO NSs showed good response to low concentrations of chlorobenzene from 10 to 500 ppb. In contrast, the Au and Ag-decorated PSC ZnO NSs had still no response to 500 ppb of chlorobenzene. The enhancement sensing mechanism of Pt nanoparticle decoration has also been discussed in detail. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.