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Title: Ammonia sensing properties of V-doped ZnO:Ca nanopowders prepared by sol–gel synthesis

Journal Article · · Journal of Solid State Chemistry
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  1. Dipartimento di Fisica e di Scienze della Terra, Università di Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina (Italy)
  2. Laboratory of Physics of Materials and Nanomaterials Applied at Environment, Faculty of Sciences in Gabes, 6072 Gabes (Tunisia)
  3. Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettronica, Chimica e Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina (Italy)

V-doped ZnO:Ca nanopowders with different V loading were prepared by sol–gel synthesis and successive drying in ethanol under supercritical conditions. Characterization data of nanopowders annealed at 700 °C in air, revealed that they have the wurtzite structure. Raman features of V-doped ZnO:Ca samples were found to be substantially modified with respect to pure ZnO or binary ZnO:Ca samples, which indicate the substitution of vanadium ions in the ZnO lattice. The ammonia sensing properties of V-doped ZnO:Ca thick films were also investigated. The results obtained demonstrate the possibility of a fine tuning of the sensing characteristics of ZnO-based sensors by Ca and V doping. In particular, their combined effect has brought to an enhanced response towards NH{sub 3} compared to bare ZnO and binary V-ZnO and Ca-ZnO samples. Raman investigation suggested that the presence of Ca play a key role in enhancing the sensor response in these ternary composite nanomaterials. - Graphical abstract: V-doped ZnO:Ca nanopowders prepared by sol–gel synthesis possess enhanced sensing characteristics towards NH{sub 3} compared to bare ZnO. - Highlights: • V-doped ZnO:Ca nanopowders with different V loading were prepared by sol–gel synthesis. • Raman features of V-doped ZnO:Ca samples indicate the substitution of V ions in the ZnO lattice. • Combined effects of dopants have brought to an enhanced response to NH{sub 3} compared to ZnO. • Ca play a key role in enhancing the sensor response of ternary V-doped ZnO:Ca composites.

OSTI ID:
22475654
Journal Information:
Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 226; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2015 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0022-4596
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English