An inward etching route to synthesize ZnSn(OH)6 nanoboxes with enhanced ethanol sensing property

Hollow micro-/nanostructures are of great interest in many current and emerging areas of technology. Compared to spherical counterparts, the synthesis of hollow micro-/nanostructures with well-defined non-spherical shapes remains a significant challenge to materials scientists. In this paper, a high uniformity of ZnSn(OH)(6) (ZHS) nanoboxes with perovskite structure were prepared by a facile inward etching method at room temperature. The structure and morphology of ZHS samples were investigated by several techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). On the basis of those characterizations, it can be found that the solid cubes of ZHS were formed firstly due to the co-precipitation and then the solid cubes converted into hollow one by an inward etching process with the help of alkali. SEM and TEM images reveal that the ZHS nanoboxes with edge length of around 150 to 200 nm, and with a wall thickness of 40 nm. The gas-sensing properties of ZHS nanoboxes to ethanol were tested. In virtue of hollow nanostructures, these ZHS nanoboxes exhibit enhanced ethanol sensing property. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.