Ag-modified hexagonal nanoflakes-textured hollow octahedron Zn2SnO4 with enhanced sensing properties for triethylamine

Hexagonal nanoflakes-textured hollow octahedron Zn2SnO4 (H-O Zn2SnO4) was successfully synthesized by gradient hydrothermal method. The possible growth mechanism was studied according to the phase transition between metastable ZnSnO3 and stable Zn2SnO4. Then Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were modified on the surface of H-O Zn2SnO4 through an easy deposition process, and it was proved that the material has superior gas sensitivity. The response of 3% Ag modified H-O Zn2SnO4-based sensor can be as high as 83.6 in 50 ppm triethylamine gas when the temperature reaches 220 degrees C, which is twice that of the pristine H-O Zn2SnO4. The concentration can be detected as low as 1 ppm. Moreover, the materials also exhibited fast response-recovery time, good stability, as well as great selectivity. This paper provides an effective way to synthesis various r hollow micro/nanomaterials and discusses the sensitization of Ag NPs in improving sensing performance in detail. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.