Diameter regulated ZnO nanorod synthesis and its application in gas sensor optimization

ZnO nanorods with a range of diameter were synthesized by a one-step solvothermal method via adjusting ethanol content in solvents. Material characterization has included XRD, SEM, PL and XPS. It was found that diameter of the ZnO nanorods can be regulated by adjusting ethanol content in solvent. When the ethanol content was increased from 10% to 50%, average diameter of the resultant ZnO nanorods decreased from 360 to 220 nm monotonically. It is also found that ZnO nanorods (a20) prepared with 20% ethanol in solvent has the best crystallinity as revealed in XRD analysis. PL and XPS analyses suggest that the ZnO nanorods are Zn-rich - a beneficial factor to gas sensing response. Gas sensor fabricated using a20 gave the best alcohol vapor response.