Ultra-sensitive benzene detection by a novel approach: Core-shell nanowires combined with the Pd-functionalization

We have realized an excellent selective sensing to benzene (C6H6) by means of using SnO2-ZnO core-shell nanowires functionalized with Pd nanoparticles. We obtained a response of 71 for 100 ppb of C6H6, which is the highest response reported thus far. The synergistic effects of variation of SnO2/ZnO potential barriers and chemical sensitization of Pd are responsible for the highest C6H6-sensing performance. These results highlight the potential for using Pd functionalized nanowires as a sensing platform in detecting trace concentrations of benzene, which is applicable in the future sensor, including the disease diagnosis and the environmental monitoring.