Gas Sensing Properties of Zn-Doped Anisometric Fe2O3 Nanoparticles

T. Kim, A.C. Sharp, H. Yim, B. Guo
Texas A&M University, College Station, US

Keywords: flame spray pyrolysis, gas sensing, signal, aging, sensitivity

Abstract:

In this study, we synthesized nanocrystalline Zn-doped Fe2O3 by flame spray pyrolysis under different conditions, and then investigated the gas sensing characteristics of these particles. The response of the gas sensor to acetone vapor in dry synthetic air was measured before and after 3 days of aging. High-temperature flame generated nanometer-sized particles; lower temperature flame generated micrometer-sized particles. Particle characterization suggested that the Zn was enriched at the particle surface. The Zn-doped Fe2O3 nanoparticles showed a gas sensing sensitivity that was 20 times the literature value. The 3–day aging did not cause deterioration in gas sensing ability of the Zn-doped Fe2O3 nanoparticles.