A facile controllable self-assembly of 3D elliptical ZnO microspheres from 1D nanowires for effective detection of acetone

Abstract 3D elliptical ZnO microspheres self-assembled from 1D nanowires were synthesized via a facile solvothermal route. Their morphology and structures were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and N2 adsorption-desorption techniques, and the gas-sensing properties were investigated. The results indicate that as-synthesized elliptical wool ball-like ZnO can be controlled by adjusting alkali concentrations and it exhibits enhanced sensitivity and high selectivity to acetone. Notably, the response to 10 and 100 ppm reached 14 and 36 respectively, which are 4 and 1.5 times as much as that of the nanorods-composed ZnO, implying wool ball-like ZnO microstructures can be served as sensor material for acetone detection.