Rapid and selective H2S detection of hierarchical ZnSnO3 nanocages

Cubic ZnSnO3 nanocages, a geometrical cube-shape with a hierarchical structure composed of small nanoparticles as secondary units, are successfully synthesized via a facile hydrothermal process. These ZnSnO3 nanocages have hollow interiors and good-permeation surfaces, and are used for detecting different gases such as ethanol (C2H5OH), formaldehyde (HCHO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). These ZnSnO3 nanocages show good response, selectivity, response and recovery characteristics to H2S. It is found that ZnSnO3 nanocages have a response of 17.6–50 ppm H2S at the optimal operating temperature of 310 °C and the response time is shorter than 20 s.