Solvothermal Preparation and Gas Sensing Properties of ZnO Whiskers

Abstract

ZnO whiskers were prepared by a solvothermal process with Zn(OH) 2− 4 , cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), n -amyl alcohol and n -hexane at 140 °C. The influence of preparation condition on the morphology of the resultant sample was investigated through change zinc salts, co-surfactants, surfactants, reaction temperature, and reaction time. Experimental results revealed that the morphology of as-obtained ZnO was affected strongly by the zinc salts and surfactants. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electron diffraction (ED). Results showed that ZnO whiskers had the diameters of 100–500 nm, the lengths of several μ m, and grown along orientation of [0001]. The gas sensitivities of the as-prepared ZnO whiskers were detected. The results revealed that the ZnO whiskers had excellent potential application for gas sensor.