Cocoon-like ZnO decorated graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposite: Hydrothermal synthesis and ethanol gas sensing application

Developing an efficient gas sensing materials with low operating temperature and good linearity in a wide gas concentration range still remains a challenge for its practical application. In this study, the cocoon-like ZnO decorated graphitic carbon nitride hybrid nanocomposite was successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. The as-prepared samples were characterized by the techniques of XRD, FTIR, FESEM, TEM and XPS. Results indicated that ZnO nanocrystals with hexagonal wurtzite possess the cocoon-like structure with typical lengths of 200-300 nm and diameters range of 30-50 nm, and distributed randomly on g-C3N4 surface with a close interface between ZnO and g-C3N4. The g-C3N4/ZnO nanocomposite based sensor exhibited impressive gas sensing characteristics towards ethanol, including low optimum operating temperature and good linearity in a wide gas concentration range, implying that the g-C3N4/ZnO nanocomposite will be a promising candidate for application in ethanol sensor.