Synthesis and acetone sensing properties of Ce-doped ZnO nanofibers

• The porous nanofibers are composed of particles with diameters around 20–30 nm.
• Ce-doping causes a decrease in the diameters of ZnO nanofibers.
• Ce-doped ZnO nanofibers can detect 5 ppm acetone at 230 °C.
• Ce-doped ZnO nanofibers have quick response and good selectivity to acetone at 230 °C.

Pure and Ce-doped ZnO nanofibers were synthesized by the electrospinning method, and then characterized via X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the porous nanofibers were composed of particles with diameters around 20–30 nm and Ce-doping caused a decrease in the diameters of ZnO nanofibers. The acetone sensing properties of the sensor based on the nanofibers were investigated. Comparing with pure ZnO nanofibers sensor, Ce-doped ZnO nanofibers sensor exhibits better sensing properties than those to acetone. Moreover, this sensor has an optimum operating temperature of 230 °C, considerable sensitivity, quick response and good selectivity. The response and recovery time are about 8 s and 5 s, respectively. The high response and quick response/recovery time can be attributed to the large surface area and the enhancement of adsorption ability of surfaces in Ce-doped ZnO nanofibers. The gas sensing mechanism is also discussed.