Optimization of ZnO-TiO2 Nanocomposites Sensor for Ultra-Sensitive H2S Detection at Low Temperature
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In this study, ZnO-TiO2 nanocomposites with varying molar ratios were synthesized using a hydrothermal method and characterized for H2S gas sensing applications. Thick films of the nanocomposites were fabricated using a screen-printing technique, and their gas sensing performance was evaluated at different operating temperatures. The diffraction peaks of ZnO and TiO2 are hexagonal (rutile), and tetragonal (anatase) phase, respectively. The crystallite sizes were determined to be 37.34 nm for 1M ZnO : 1M TiO2 composition, and 45.17 nm, 44.03 nm, 41.22 nm, 36.14 nm, and 36.65 nm for the (1M : 9M, 3M : 7M, 7M : 3M, 9M : 1M, and 0.1M CuCl2-doped in 1M ZnO : 1M TiO2) compositions, respectively. SEM and EDAX analyses revealed formation of heterogeneous structure with well-distributed nanospheres and nanorods. The I-V characteristics of ZnO-TiO2 thick films show a proportional but slightly non-linear response to voltage, indicating a mix of ohmic and non-ohmic conduction. The average thickness of the thick film of 1M ZnO : 1M TiO2 sample is 29 (µM). The gas sensing performance was evaluated at different operating temperatures and among the compositions studied, the 7M ZnO : 3M TiO2 thick film exhibited superior sensitivity, selectivity, and response to 286 ppm H2S gas at 40°C. These findings demonstrate the potential of ZnO-TiO2 nanocomposites as highly selective and low-temperature H2S sensor for industrial and environmental monitoring applications.
Source: Nano hybrids and composites
DOI: 10.4028/p-mi2spo
Authors: Vishal D. Wankhade, Rajesh B. Pedhekar, Vinod S. Kalyamwar, Vilas R. Hiranwale, Suraj P. Patil
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4411906028