The gas-sensing properties of thick film based on tetrapod-shaped ZnO nanopowders

Tetrapod-shaped ZnO nanopowders were prepared by the method of vapor-phase oxidation from metallic zinc as raw materials. The gas-sensing properties of thick film based on tetrapod-shaped ZnO nanopowders to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), benzene, toluene, xylene, alcohol and acetone were measured, and compared with that of commercial ZnO powders with granular shape. The results showed that tetrapod-shaped ZnO had the better gas-sensing properties: the maximum sensitivity temperature was reduced, the gas sensitivity was improved and the time of response-recovery was shortened. The differences in gas-sensing properties between the thick films were discussed in according to the morphological characteristics, size and agglomeration of raw powder as well as microstructure of sintered thick films.