Fabrication and sensing behavior of one-dimensional ZnO-Zn2GeO4 heterostructures

Well-crystalline one-dimensional ZnO-Zn2GeO4 (ZGO) heterostructures were successfully synthesized using a high-temperature solid-state reaction between the ZnO and Ge layers of ZnO-Ge core-shell nanostructures. The polycrystalline ZGO crystallites had a thickness in the range of 17 to 26 nm. The high-temperature solid-state reaction induced grooves and crystal defects on the surfaces of the ZGO crystallites. The sensors made from the ZnO-ZGO heterostructures exhibited a marked photocurrent response to UV light at room temperature and a gas sensing response to acetone gas at 325°C. The observed sensing properties are attributed to the rugged surface of the ZGO heterointerfaces between ZnO and ZGO, surface crystal defects of ZGO, and cross-linked contact regions of ZnO-ZGO.