Effect of solid inorganic salts on the formation of cubic-like aggregates of ZnSnO3 nanoparticles in solventless, organic-free reactions and their gas sensing behaviors

► Solventless and organic-free reactions method for producing porous cubic-like aggregates of ZnSnO3 nanoparticles at ambient temperature. ► Added inorganic salts as a template to direct the formation of cubic-like aggregates. ► Producing spherical aggregates of ZnSnO3 nanoparticles in the absence of added salt into the system. ► Sensors constructed with cubic-like aggregates of ZnSnO3 nanoparticles exhibit high responses to reducing gases.