Acetone sensing property of ZnO quantum dots embedded on PVP

We report synthesis of ZnO quantum dot embedded in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) matrix and its functioning as acetone sensor. The specimen is prepared via quenching technique where bulk ZnO powder is calcined at very high temperature of 1200 degrees C and then quenched into ice cold polyvinylpyrrolidone solution. The samples have been characterized by using UV/vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction study, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These studies infer the sizes of quantum dots to be within 10 nm. The prepared quantum dot samples have been tested for sensing acetone vapour by exploring the variation of their resistance with time at different operating temperatures. It has been revealed that ZnO quantum dots can sense acetone at low operating (230 degrees C) temperature with less response time. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.