METAL NANOPARTICLE DECORATED ZnO NANORODS FOR HYDROGEN SENSOR APPLICATIONS

Abstract

In this study, ZnO nanorods, functionalized with Cr, Co, Ni and Cu metal nanoparticles are synthesized and the structural, electrical and hydrogen gas sensing properties are examined. ZnO nanorods with approximately 90 nm in diameter and 1 µm in length are produced by using hydrothermal method on ZnO seed layer coated glass substrate. Then Cr, Co, Ni and Cu metal acetate solutions are separately coated on ZnO nanorods by using spin coating method. It is obtained from structural characterization that the fabricated bare and metal functionalized ZnO nanorods are vertically aligned and have c-axis orientation. The FESEM images show metal nanoparticles with size below 20nm on ZnO nanorods. The electrical and hydrogen gas sensing characteristics of gold electrodes coated bare and metal functionalized ZnO nanorods are measured from room temperature to 200°C. The highest sensitivity and good selectivity were observed for Ni nanoparticles decorated ZnO nanorods. © 2022 Proceedings of WHEC 2022 - 23rd World Hydrogen Energy Conference: Bridging Continents by H2. All rights reserved.