Ultra-sensitive glycol sensing performance with rapid-recovery based on heterostructured ZnO-SnO2 hollow nanotube

Abstract In this work, we successfully synthesized heterostructured ZnO-SnO2 composite nanotubes for high performance glycol gas sensor combined with certain calcination treatment. The as-prepared sample was characterized by various technologies. The sensor based on this hybrid nanotube displayed high response (47.71) toward 150 ppm glycol at 210 °C with response/recovery time of approximately 55 and 13 s respectively, even to 5 ppm glycol with a response of about 2.16. It also showed excellent repeatability and long-term stability. These good sensing properties are mainly attributed to the ZnO-SnO2 hollow heterostructure which possesses a large surface area and porosity. Besides, the sensing mechanism was elaborated at length.