Novel ZnO microwoods with ultrahigh selectivity for detection of trimethylamine vapor

On basis of specific surface acid/base interaction, a sensor fabricated using acidic oxide is inclined to detect alkaline vapor. Herein, a novel wood-shaped ZnO microstructure consisted of two microrods has been successfully demonstrated using a facile hydrothermal approach, and is further employed as a channel for triethylamine (TEA) sensing. Owing to the certain surface acidity and ultralow specific surface area (<1 m(2)/g) of this ZnO product, the as-fabricated sensor showed a remarkable response towards alkaline TEA compared with that of the other interfering gases. In addition, a rapid response rate (6 s for detecting 100 ppm TEA) and actual detection limit (1 ppm) were also observed. (c) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Based on specific surface acid/base interaction, a sensor fabricated using acidic oxide is more sensitive to alkaline vapor. In this study, a novel wood-shaped ZnO microstructure was successfully demonstrated and used for TEA sensing, showing remarkable response and rapid response rate to alkaline TEA with a low detection limit.