Highly efficient ethanol vapour detection using g-C₃N₄/ZnO micro flower-like heterostructural composites

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Chemical Sensors

Background:

• Gas sensors are crucial for environmental monitoring and safety.
• Developing sensitive and selective materials for ethanol detection remains a challenge.
• Heterostructured materials offer potential for improved gas-sensing properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate heterostructured graphitic carbon nitride/zinc oxide (g-C3N4/ZnO) composites.
• To investigate the ethanol vapor sensing properties of these composites.
• To understand the mechanism behind the enhanced sensing performance.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of g-C3N4/ZnO composites using precursor pyrolysis, ultrasonic exfoliation, hydrothermal methods, and calcination.
• Characterization of material structure, composition, and morphology via XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, and FTIR.
• Evaluation of gas sensing properties towards ethanol at various temperatures and doping concentrations.

Main Results:

• The 1% g-C3N4/ZnO composite exhibited the best ethanol sensing performance.
• The sensor showed a response of 81.4 to 100 ppm ethanol at 280 °C, 3.7 times higher than pure ZnO.
• The composite demonstrated good selectivity, fast response (24 s), and recovery (63 s) times.

Conclusions:

• The heterostructured g-C3N4/ZnO micro flower-like architecture enhances specific surface area and conductivity.
• The synergistic effect between g-C3N4 and ZnO contributes to improved ethanol gas sensing.
• These composites show promise for developing advanced ethanol vapor sensors.