Toluene sensing properties of SnO2–ZnO hollow nanofibers fabricated from single capillary electrospinning

SnO2–ZnO hollow nanofibers were fabricated through a facile single capillary electrospinning technology. The structure and toluene sensing properties of the hollow fibers were investigated. The results indicated that the fibers possess a hollow structure, a rough porous surface after being annealed at 600 °C and the diameters are in the range of 80–160 nm. A sensor fabricated from these fibers exhibits considerable sensitivity and good stability against toluene at 190 °C, which can be attributed to the special 1D hollow structure and the promoting effect of the SnO2/ZnO heterojunction. The formation mechanism and toluene sensing mechanism of SnO2–ZnO hollow nanofibers were also discussed.

► The product was fabricated by single capillary electrospinning.
► A sensor made from our product exhibits considerable toluene sensing at 190 °C.
► The formation mechanism of SnO2–ZnO hollow nanofibers was discussed.