Hierarchical Zinc Stannate Nanoneedle-Based Sensitive Detection of Formaldehyde

Perovskite-typeternary metal oxides have persisted as an areaof research toward developing interesting nanostructures and theirsubsequent application. The paper presents a nanodimensional needle-likehierarchical structure of zinc stannate (ZnSnO3) materialfor the sensitive detection of formaldehyde. The nanomaterial wassuccessfully synthesized through a simple and low-cost hydrothermalprocess. The morphology and structural properties were validated throughvarious material characterization techniques. The nanoneedles wereformed with a definite shape having an average thickness and a lengthof 20 and 450 nm, respectively, along with high crystallinity. Additionally,the evolution process of the grown nanostructure was discussed consideringthe involved chemical reactions. The gas-sensing behavior was investigated,where the maximum response was found toward formaldehyde with admirablesensitivity, fast kinetics, complete reversibility, and good selectivityand reproducibility. The limit of detection was found to be 717 ppbusing the power law theory of semiconducting gas sensors. The sensingmechanism was explained using adsorption theory and the correspondingelectron depletion layer modulation. The reported results indicatethe potential influence of the prepared ZnSnO3 nanoneedlestoward efficient integration in various electrochemical applications.

Automated summary

This paper presents the synthesis of nanodimensional needle-like hierarchical structure of zinc stannate (ZnSnO3) material through a simple and low-cost hydrothermal process. The morphology and structural properties of the nanomaterial were characterized and validated. Gas-sensing experiments showed that the nanoneedles exhibited admirable sensitivity, fast kinetics, complete reversibility, and good selectivity and reproducibility towards formaldehyde. The sensing mechanism was explained using adsorption theory and electron depletion layer modulation.