Effect of PEG-400 on the morphology and electrical properties of ZnO nanoparticles application for gas sensor

ZnO nanostructures were obtained by thermal decomposition of zinc hydroxide and PEG-400 formed after precipitation of zinc acetate from aqueous solution. The synthesized nanoparticles are characterized for their phase and morphology by X-ray diffraction (XRD) scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and UV–visible spectrophotometry techniques. These characterizations are performed with the aim of optimizing the experimental conditions which allow us to obtain ZnO nanostructures. Electrical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles are studied by AC impedance measurement. The gas sensing properties are studied by reducing methane gas at room temperature.