Application of aligned ZnO nanowires/nanobelts as a room temperature NO gas sensor

Gas sensing properties of devices fabricated using ZnO nanowires/nanobelts (NS) aligned between two electrodes using dielectrophoresis technique were investigated. ZnO nanostructures were synthesized by carbothermal method. The devices were characterized as gas sensors and showed high sensitivity for detection of NO gas at room temperature. Typical sensor response, defined as the relative change in resistance, due to the introduction of the gas was found to be approximately 500% for 40 ppm of NO gas. The devices showed average response and recovery times of about 30 s and 1 min respectively. The results demonstrate the potential of fabricating nanosized sensors using single nanowires/nanobelts.