Acetone Sensors Based on La3+ Doped ZnO Nano-rods Prepared by Solvothermal Method

La3+ doped ZnO nano-rods with different doping concentration were prepared via solvothermal method. The doped ZnO nano-rods were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The effect of La3+ doping on the gas-sensing properties was investigated. The results revealed that the sensor based on 6 mol% La3+ doped ZnO nano-rods exhibited high response to dilute acetone, and the responses to 0.01 x 10(-6) acetone reached 2.4 when operating at 425 degrees C. The response time and the recovery time for 0.01x10(-6) acetone were only 16 and 3 s, respectively.