Design of p-n heterojunction on mesoporous ZnO/Co3O4 nanosheets for triethylamine sensor

ZnO/Co3O4 porous nanosheets were successfully developed via modulating the proportions in p-n heterojunction composites by a hydrothermal method. The as-synthesized materials were applied to fabricate sensors to study their gas sensing performance. The response value (S = Ra/Rg) of the ZnO/Co3O4 sensor is calculated to be 67.8 for 50 ppm triethylamine, which is much better than that of as-prepared pristine ZnO. Interestingly, the ZnO/ Co3O4 sensor also exhibits a high response to triethylamine even in high humidity (77%). Our work provides a strategy to fast probe triethylamine via design of p-n heterojunction ZnO/Co3O4 sensors.

Automated summary

ZnO/Co3O4 porous nanosheets were successfully developed via adjusting proportions in p-n heterojunction composites and applied in sensors to detect triethylamine. The sensors exhibited high response values to triethylamine, even in high humidity conditions. This work offers a strategy for quick detection of triethylamine using p-n heterojunction ZnO/Co3O4 sensors.