Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured Cobalt Zincate and Its Application as LPG Sensor

This paper reports the performance of the liquefied petroleum gas sensing properties of cobalt zincate nanocomposite synthesized via conventional precipitation route. The structural and morphological characterizations of the nanocomposite were analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD pattern revealed amorphous nature of nanocomposite. SEM images show spherical morphology throughout the surface. Optical characterization of the film was carried out by UV-visible spectrophotometer. By Tauc plot the estimated value of band gap of film was found 3.81 eV. The LPG sensing properties of the zincate film were investigated at room temperature for different vol.% of LPG. The variations in electrical resistance of the film were measured with the exposure of LPG as a function of time. The maximum values of sensitivity and sensor response were found 19 and 1783 respectively for 5 vol.% of LPG. The activation energy calculated from Arrhenius plot was found 0.58 eV. The response and recovery time of sensing film were found similar to 150 s and 120 s respectively. Through this investigation, the demonstration has been done concerning the possibility and potential of ZnxCo2-xO4 nanocomposite for x < 1 based sensor for sensing of LPG which is unique.