Electrical conductivity and gas sensitivity to VOCs of V-doped ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles

ZnFe2O4 and V-doped ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles were successfully fabricated by citrate pyrolysis method. The structural and morphological characteristics of the as-sintered powders were investigated by means of XRD and FE-SEM. The results showed all the as-received powders have a spinel-type structure, irrespective of the added V content, and the average size of the spherical particles is below 50 nm with good dispersity. The resistance of ZnFe2O4-based thick films decreases with increasing the added V content. It is found that the added V has different effects on the sensitivities to different VOCs. Due to the added V, the sensitivities to ethanol and acetone decline greatly and the highest sensitivity temperatures increase, whereas the added V enhances remarkably the sensitivities to benzene, toluene and xylene at high operating temperature. The V-doped ZnFe2O4 can be promising as a sensing material for gas sensor detecting benzene and its derivatives.