Highly sensitive C2H2 gas sensor based on Ag modified ZnO nanorods

The sliver (Ag) modified zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods were successfully obtained with a simplified and environmentally friendly solvothermal method. Materials characterization indicated that the metallic Ag was located on the outside of ZnO nanorods after annealing. In comparison with ZnO nanorods, Ag modified ZnO (Ag-ZnO) nanorods exhibited a considerably enhanced response to C2H2. The response of the 3 at% Ag-ZnO based sensor operating at 175 degrees C is 539 (R-a/R-g), which is the highest value among all the sensors in detecting 100 ppm C2H2. The Ag-ZnO based sensors exhibited fast response speed, lower operation temperature and higher selectivity.