Synthesis of quantum size ZnO crystals and their gas sensing properties for NO2

Quantum size ZnO crystals have been synthesized successfully by a room temperature sol–gel process. Oleic acid (OA) has been used as capping agent to control the particle size of ZnO. The crystal structure and size of the ZnO are characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The XRD results show the as-synthesized ZnO has hexagonal wurtzite structure and the average crystallite size is 5.7 nm which is little less than TEM result. It is testified by photoluminescence (PL) and Raman spectra that the quantum size ZnO keeps the crystal structure of the bulk ZnO and possesses more surface defects. The quantum size ZnO has the highest response of 280 to NO2 and the highest selectivity of 31 and 49 corresponding to CO and CH4 at operating temperature of 290 °C. The effect of calcination temperatures on sensing property and transient response of the ZnO sensor are also investigated.