The Role of Zn Ions in the Structural, Surface, and Gas-Sensing Properties of SnO<sub>2</sub>:Zn Nanocrystals Synthesized via a Microwave-Assisted Route
Although semiconducting metal oxide (SMOx) nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted attention as sensing materials, the methodologies available to synthesize them with desirable properties are quite limited and/or often require relatively high energy consumption. Thus, we report herein the processing of Z...
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/1/140 |
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| author | Luís F. da Silva Mattia A. Lucchini Ariadne C. Catto Waldir Avansi Jr. Sandrine Bernardini Khalifa Aguir Markus Niederberger Elson Longo |
| author_facet | Luís F. da Silva Mattia A. Lucchini Ariadne C. Catto Waldir Avansi Jr. Sandrine Bernardini Khalifa Aguir Markus Niederberger Elson Longo |
| author_sort | Luís F. da Silva |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Although semiconducting metal oxide (SMOx) nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted attention as sensing materials, the methodologies available to synthesize them with desirable properties are quite limited and/or often require relatively high energy consumption. Thus, we report herein the processing of Zn-doped SnO<sub>2</sub> NPs via a microwave-assisted nonaqueous route at a relatively low temperature (160 °C) and with a short treatment time (20 min). In addition, the effects of adding Zn in the structural, electronic, and gas-sensing properties of SnO<sub>2</sub> NPs were investigated. X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed the single-phase of rutile SnO<sub>2</sub>, with an average crystal size of 7 nm. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy measurements revealed the homogenous incorporation of Zn ions into the SnO<sub>2</sub> network. Gas sensing tests showed that Zn-doped SnO<sub>2</sub> NPs were highly sensitive to sub-ppm levels of NO<sub>2</sub> gas at 150 °C, with good recovery and stability even under ambient moisture. We observed an increase in the response of the Zn-doped sample of up to 100 times compared to the pristine one. This enhancement in the gas-sensing performance was linked to the Zn ions that provided more surface oxygen defects acting as active sites for the NO<sub>2</sub> adsorption on the sensing material. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T14:57:46Z |
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| id | doaj.art-d50630f5dbdd46ffbb98f11d45ba0a35 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T14:57:46Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-d50630f5dbdd46ffbb98f11d45ba0a352024-01-10T15:08:44ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202023-12-0124114010.3390/s24010140The Role of Zn Ions in the Structural, Surface, and Gas-Sensing Properties of SnO<sub>2</sub>:Zn Nanocrystals Synthesized via a Microwave-Assisted RouteLuís F. da Silva0Mattia A. Lucchini1Ariadne C. Catto2Waldir Avansi Jr.3Sandrine Bernardini4Khalifa Aguir5Markus Niederberger6Elson Longo7Laboratory for Multifunctional Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, SwitzerlandLaboratory for Multifunctional Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, SwitzerlandCenter for the Development of Functional Materials, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos 13565-905, BrazilLaboratory of Nanostructured Multifunctional Materials, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos 13565-905, BrazilAix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IM2NP, 13397 Marseille, FranceAix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IM2NP, 13397 Marseille, FranceLaboratory for Multifunctional Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, SwitzerlandCenter for the Development of Functional Materials, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos 13565-905, BrazilAlthough semiconducting metal oxide (SMOx) nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted attention as sensing materials, the methodologies available to synthesize them with desirable properties are quite limited and/or often require relatively high energy consumption. Thus, we report herein the processing of Zn-doped SnO<sub>2</sub> NPs via a microwave-assisted nonaqueous route at a relatively low temperature (160 °C) and with a short treatment time (20 min). In addition, the effects of adding Zn in the structural, electronic, and gas-sensing properties of SnO<sub>2</sub> NPs were investigated. X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed the single-phase of rutile SnO<sub>2</sub>, with an average crystal size of 7 nm. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy measurements revealed the homogenous incorporation of Zn ions into the SnO<sub>2</sub> network. Gas sensing tests showed that Zn-doped SnO<sub>2</sub> NPs were highly sensitive to sub-ppm levels of NO<sub>2</sub> gas at 150 °C, with good recovery and stability even under ambient moisture. We observed an increase in the response of the Zn-doped sample of up to 100 times compared to the pristine one. This enhancement in the gas-sensing performance was linked to the Zn ions that provided more surface oxygen defects acting as active sites for the NO<sub>2</sub> adsorption on the sensing material.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/1/140SnO<sub>2</sub>zincnon-aqueous synthesismicrowave routelocal structuresurface properties |
| spellingShingle | Luís F. da Silva Mattia A. Lucchini Ariadne C. Catto Waldir Avansi Jr. Sandrine Bernardini Khalifa Aguir Markus Niederberger Elson Longo The Role of Zn Ions in the Structural, Surface, and Gas-Sensing Properties of SnO<sub>2</sub>:Zn Nanocrystals Synthesized via a Microwave-Assisted Route Sensors SnO<sub>2</sub> zinc non-aqueous synthesis microwave route local structure surface properties |
| title | The Role of Zn Ions in the Structural, Surface, and Gas-Sensing Properties of SnO<sub>2</sub>:Zn Nanocrystals Synthesized via a Microwave-Assisted Route |
| title_full | The Role of Zn Ions in the Structural, Surface, and Gas-Sensing Properties of SnO<sub>2</sub>:Zn Nanocrystals Synthesized via a Microwave-Assisted Route |
| title_fullStr | The Role of Zn Ions in the Structural, Surface, and Gas-Sensing Properties of SnO<sub>2</sub>:Zn Nanocrystals Synthesized via a Microwave-Assisted Route |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Role of Zn Ions in the Structural, Surface, and Gas-Sensing Properties of SnO<sub>2</sub>:Zn Nanocrystals Synthesized via a Microwave-Assisted Route |
| title_short | The Role of Zn Ions in the Structural, Surface, and Gas-Sensing Properties of SnO<sub>2</sub>:Zn Nanocrystals Synthesized via a Microwave-Assisted Route |
| title_sort | role of zn ions in the structural surface and gas sensing properties of sno sub 2 sub zn nanocrystals synthesized via a microwave assisted route |
| topic | SnO<sub>2</sub> zinc non-aqueous synthesis microwave route local structure surface properties |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/1/140 |
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