Fabrication and gas-sensing properties of hierarchically porous ZnO architectures

Hierarchically three-dimensional (3D) porous ZnO architectures are synthesized by a template-free, economical aqueous solution method combined with subsequent calcination. First, the precursors of interlaced and monodisperse basic zinc nitrate (BZN) nanosheets are prepared. Then calcination of the precursors produces hierarchically 3D porous ZnO architectures composed of interlaced ZnO nanosheets with high porosity resulting from the thermal decomposition of the precursors. The products are characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric–differential thermalgravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller N2 adsorption–desorption analyses. The BET surface area of the hierarchically porous ZnO nanostructures was calculated to be 12.8 m2 g−1. Compared with ZnO rods, the as-prepared porous ZnO nanosheets exhibit a good response and reversibility to some organic gases, such as ethanol and acetone. The responses to 100 ppm ethanol and acetone are 24.3 and 31.6, respectively, at a working temperature of 320 °C. These results show that the porous ZnO architectures are highly promising for gas sensor applications, as the gas diffusion and mass transportation in sensing materials are significantly enhanced by their unique structures. Moreover, it is believed that this solution-based approach can be extended to fabricate other porous metal oxide materials with a unique morphology or shape.