ZnO Nanorods and Their Modification with Au Nanoparticles for UV-light Activated Gas Sensing

Abstract

Aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposited ZnO nanostructured films integrated into Si-based transducing platforms are modified with preformed Au nanoparticles (NPs) via impregnation. The morphological, structural, and chemical characterization of these films using different characterisation techniques shows the incorporation of well-distributed and stable Au nanoparticles (NPs) at the surface of ZnO. Photoactivated gas sensing tests at room temperature (RT) demonstrate enhanced sensitivity and better speed of response for the Au modified ZnO films (AuZn) providing 3 times higher response to ethanol and acetone as compared to the non-modified ZnO films (Zn).