On-chip growth of patterned ZnO nanorod sensors with PdO decoration for enhancement of hydrogen-sensing performance

In this study, we used a low-temperature hydrothermal technique to fabricate arrays of sensors with ZnO nanorods grown on-chip. The sensors on the glass substrate then were sputter decorated with Pd at thicknesses of 2, 4, and 8 nm and annealed at 650 degrees C in air for an hour. Scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and surface analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization demonstrated that decoration of homogenous PdO nanoparticles on the surface of ZnO nanorods had been achieved. The sensors were tested against three reducing gases, namely hydrogen, ethanol, and ammonia, at 350, 400, and 450 degrees C. The ZnO nanorods decorated with PdO particles from the 2 and 4 nm layers showed the highest responses to H-2 at 450 and 350 degrees C, respectively. These samples also generally exhibited better selectivity for hydrogen than for ethanol and ammonia at the same concentrations and at all tested temperatures. However, the ZnO nanorods decorated with PdO particles from the 8 nm layer showed a reverse sensing behaviour compared with the first two. The sensing mechanism behind these phenomena is discussed in the light of the spillover effect of hydrogen in contact with the PdO particles as well as the negative competition of the PdO thin film formed between the sensor electrodes during sputter decoration, Pd-Zn heterojunction that forms at high temperature and thus influences the conductivity of the ZnO nanorods. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.