Highly sensitive ethanol gas sensors based on ag-doped ZnO nanocones

Herein, we report the successful synthesis, characterization and ethanol gas sensing applications of Ag-doped ZnO nanocones. The Ag-doped ZnO nanocones were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal process and characterized using various analytical tools such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy. The detailed studies revealed that the synthesized Ag-doped ZnO nanocones possess good crystallinity and optical properties. Finally, the prepared Ag-doped ZnO nanocones were used as an electrode material to fabricate highly sensitive and selective gas sensors for reducing gases such as C2H5OH, H2 and CO. The fabricated Ag-doped ZnO nanocones based sensors exhibited a higher response for C2H5OH as compared to H2 and CO. Moreover, at a lower operating temperature of 400 C, excellent sensitivity was reported for C2H5OH as compared to the higher temperature of 450 C.