Structure and humidity sensing properties of SnO2 zigzag belts

A novel method was developed for synthesizing ultralong SnO2 zigzag belts with the assistance of CuO powder. The crystalline structure and morphology of SnO2 zigzag belts were characterized using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The growth mechanism of the ultralong SnO2 zigzag belts and the catalytic behavior of the copper were discussed. The humidity sensor based on as-synthesized product shows high sensitivity and fast response time due to unique structure of the SnO2 zigzag belts with large surface-to-volume ratio. It can be found that the resistance of the SnO2 materials decreases obviously with increasing relative humidity (RH) at room temperature (26 degrees C). The results demonstrate that these SnO2 nanostructures are potential to be used as effective and high performance humidity sensors. (C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim