Solid-state synthesis of Y-doped ZnO nanoparticles with selective-detection gas-sensing performance

Y-doped ZnO nanoparticles have been fabricated by simple solid-state chemical reactions and subsequent calcinations. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy disperse X-ray spectrum (EDS) indicated that Y element have been successfully doped into the pure bulk ZnO. From the observation of field emission scanning electronic microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the Y-doped ZnO nanoparticles have diameters around 20–50 nm. The gas-sensing test indicated that the Y-doped ZnO nanoparticles have higher sensitivity and fast response than the pure ZnO sensor, and the gas sensors based on the Y-doped ZnO nanoparticles exhibit excellent selectivity toward gasoline at 200 °C, while to ethanol at 400 °C. The results showed that the Y-doped ZnO nanoparticles can be used as the sensing materials for the temperature-regulated detectors.