Novel Zn2SnO4 Hierarchical Nanostructures and Their Gas Sensing Properties toward Ethanol

In this work, highly ordered Zn2SnO4 three-dimensional flowerlike superstructures assembled with nanorods have been synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal route at 180 degrees C. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and selected-area electron diffraction. The morphology of the final products was found to depend strongly on the concentrations of EDA and CTAB used. A possible mechanism for the formation of self-assembled Zn2SnO4 flowerlike superstructures is proposed. In addition, the novel Zn2SnO4 three-dimensional superstructures exhibited good gas-sensing properties that are even better than those of the competing binary metal oxide alpha-Fe2O3 and In2O3 sensors. The excellent gas-sensing properties make this material interesting not only for use in sensor devices, but also for a number of related electrochemical applications.