Development of high sensitivity ethanol gas sensor based on Co-doped SnO2 nanoparticles by microwave irradiation technique

We have successfully synthesized Co doped SnO₂ nanoparticles by a simple microwave irradiation technique. Powder X-ray diffraction results reveal that the SnO₂ doped with cobalt concentration from 0 to 5 wt % crystallizes in tetragonal rutile-type structure. The products were annealed at 600 °C for 5 h in ambient atmosphere in order to improve crystallinity and structural perfection. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies illustrate that both the undoped and Co doped SnO₂ crystallites form in spherical shapes with an average diameter of 30–15 nm, which is in good agreement with the average crystallite sizes calculated by Scherrer's formula. A considerable red shift in the absorbing band edge was observed with increasing of Co content (0–5 wt %) by using UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Oxygen-vacancies, tin interstitial and structural defects were analyzed using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic studies clearly showed that the Co²⁺ was incorporated into the SnO₂ host lattice. Ethanol gas sensitivity of pure and Co-doped (5 wt %) SnO₂ nanoparticles were experimented at ambient temperature using optical fiber based on clad-modified method. By modifying the clad exposure to ethanol vapor, the sensitivities were estimated to be 18 and 30 counts/100 ppm for undoped and Co-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles, respectively. These results show that the Co doping into SnO₂ enhances its ethanol gas sensitivity significantly.     

Synthesis and optical properties of SnO2-CuO nanocomposite

SnO₂-CuO nanocomposite was synthesized by impregnating SnO₂ nanowires with CuCl₂ solution and subsequent calcination. SEM and XRD were used to characterize the morphology and structure of the product. The optical properties were analyzed by Raman and photoluminescence (PL) spectra at room temperature. Except the strong orange emission of SnO₂, the PL spectrum showed a red shoulder at 678 nm which originated from the interface between SnO₂ and CuO.     

Optical study of Sr2SnO4:Eu phosphor

This work presents the influence of europium dopant on optical properties of Sr₂SnO₄:Eu³⁺ powders fabricated by a facile low temperature method. Powders were obtained from the same amounts of Eu³⁺ doping into the different concentrations of Sr(NO₃)₂. Powders were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and photoluminescence (PL). SEM measurements different Eu concentrations in fabricated powders was determined to found different morphologies. XRD analysis revealed the existence of crystalline Sr₂SnO₄ in the form of tetragonal and the diffraction intensity was remarkably changed. PL studies showed a red luminescence of Sr₂SnO₄:Eu³⁺ powders. The intensity of luminescence increased with better crystallinity. This approach provides economically viable route for large-scale synthesis of this kind of nanopowders.     

Structural,dielectric and photoluminescence properties of co-precipitated Zn-doped SnO2 nanoparticles

Zn-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles were prepared by the chemical co-precipitation route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses of these prepared nanoparticles were carried out for structural and morphological studies. All the samples have been found to have tetragonal rutile structure of the polycrystalline SnO₂ having crystallite size in the range 13–25 nm. TEM micrographs show agglomeration of nanoparticles in all the samples. At a particular temperature, the dielectric constant of all the samples has been found to decrease with increasing frequencies which may be due to rapid polarization processes occurring in SnO₂ nanoparticles. The ac conductivity, σ (ω), has been found to vary with frequency according to the relation σ (ω) ∝ ω^S. The value of S has been found to be temperature dependent, decreasing with increasing frequency which suggests that a hopping process is the most likely conduction mechanism in these nanoparticles. The room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the undoped and Zn-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles consist of the near band-edge ultraviolet (UV) emission and the defect related visible emissions. The origin of emission peaks in the visible region is attributed to oxygen-related defects that are introduced during growth.     

Production of gliadin-poly(ethyl cyanoacrylate) nanoparticles for hydrophilic coating

SnO₂ nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning method, and then, treated by oxygen plasma. The morphology and structure of treated SnO₂ nanofibers were analyzed using XRD, SEM, and TEM. The composition and specific surface of treated SnO₂ nanofibers were analyzed by EDX, XPS, and BET. The treated SnO₂ nanofibers showed more pores on the surface of the nanofibers. The size of treated SnO₂ nanoparticles in the nanofibers are ~20 nm. The porosity of the treated SnO₂ nanofibers was higher than that of the untreated. The gas sensing properties of the SnO₂ nanofibers to formaldehyde were measured before and after materials treated by oxygen plasma. The treated SnO₂ nanofibers exhibit low operating temperature and large response values. Cross-responses of the treated SnO₂ nanofibers sensor were tested. The sensing mechanism of the SnO₂ nanofibers gas sensor treated by oxygen plasma was briefly analyzed.     

A facile thermal evaporation route for large-area synthesis of tin oxide nanowires: Characterizations and their use for liquid petroleum gas sensor

In this paper, a very simple procedure was presented for the reproducible synthesis of large-area SnO₂ nanowires (NWs) on a silicon substrate by evaporating Sn powders at temperatures of 700, 750, and 800 °C. As-obtained SnO₂ NWs were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy. They revealed that the morphology of the NWs is affected by growth temperature and the SnO₂ NWs are single-crystalline tetragonal. The band gap of the NWs is in the range of 4.2–4.3 eV as determined from UV/visible absorption. The NWs show stable photoluminescence with an emission peak centered at around 620 nm at room-temperature. The sensors fabricated from the SnO₂ NWs synthesized at 700 °C exhibited good response to LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) at an operating temperature of 400 °C.     

Effect of Er3+ doping in SnO2 semiconductor nanoparticles synthesized by solgel technique

Pure and Er³⁺ doped SnO₂ semiconductor nanoparticles have been synthesized by solgel technique. The X-ray diffraction patterns show peaks corresponding to tetragonal structure of SnO₂. No Er related impurity peaks could be observed. From the TEM micrographs average crystallite size was estimated to be 12 nm. The UV–visible absorption spectra of SnO₂:Er showed blue shift in the absorption shoulder compared with the spectra of undoped SnO₂ sample. Photoluminescence emission intensity of SnO₂:Er nanoparticles was found to be quenched with increasing concentration of Er³⁺ ions. The electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis of Er doped SnO₂ nanoparticles indicated Er in 3 + state with g = 2.     

Synthesis of SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> tubular nanostructures on top of a silicon nitride surface using polymeric templates and their characterization as gas sensor

Uniform polycrystalline SnO₂ microtubes formed by sintered nanoparticles (fixed to a surface or in free standing form) were obtained with the infiltration technique using SnCl₄ as precursor and a porous polycarbonate (PC) film as template. The advantage of this synthesis method was based on its simplicity, reproducibility, low cost, and the possible applicability to other complex oxides. The morphology and crystal structure of SnO₂ tubes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The crystalline sizes of the nanoparticles assembled in the tube walls obtained at 600 °C were in the range of 5–7 nm, calculated from both the XRD and the TEM data. The length of the microtubes fixed to a silicon nitride surface ranged between 2 and 7 μm. Sensors fabricated with this material showed unusual sensitivity to ethanol at room temperature and fast reversible response, as compared to those obtained by the deposition of metallic tin film and further oxidation (Rheotaxial Growth and Thermal Oxidation method).     

Preparation and characterization of SiO2 nanowires using a SnO2 catalyst

SiO₂ nanowires have been successfully synthesized on the surface of the silicon substrate via a thermal evaporation method using SnO₂ powders as the catalysts. The final synthesized product was systematically studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (RS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), UV-Visible absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The results reveal that in the reaction and growth process, the real catalytic effect is Sn and SnO_x, and the growth of SiO₂ nanowire is most likely controlled by VLS mechanism. The PL spectral results indicate the obtained products have a stable yellow-green emission range. The products have improved performance and can be used in optoelectronic semiconductor devices.     

Temperature dependent structural and optical properties of tin oxide nanoparticles

Nanocrystalline tin oxide (SnO₂) powders were synthesized through wet chemical route using tin metal as precursor. The morphology and optical properties, as well as the effect of sintering on the structural attributes of SnO₂ particles were analyzed using Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–visible spectrophotometry (UV–vis) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The data revealed that the lattice strain plays a significant role in determining the structural properties of sintered nanoparticles. The particle size was found to be 5.8 nm, 19.1 nm and 21.7 nm for samples sintered at 300 °C, 500 °C, and 700 °C, respectively. Also, the band gaps were substantially reduced from 4.1 eV to 3.8 eV with increasing sintering temperatures. The results elucidated that the structural and optical properties of the SnO₂ nanoparticles can be easily modulated by altering sintering temperature during de novo synthesis.     

Growth of SnO2 nanoparticles via thermal evaporation method

Tin oxide (SnO₂) nanoparticles were fabricated by evaporation of Sn powers at 1000 °C in air pressure. The as-deposited SnO₂ particles were single crystal structure, which were mostly spherical shape, the diameter of particles was ranging from 200 to 600 nm. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum showed that a sharp emission peak at around 393 nm with the excitation wavelength at 325 nm, which suggested possible applications in nanoscaled optoelectronic devices. It was also found that the holding time affects the morphology of the products. The formation mechanism of SnO₂ particles was discussed.     

Synthesis, morphologies and Raman-scattering spectra of crystalline stannic oxide nanowires

SnO₂ nanowires were synthesized using a direct gas reaction route and were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Raman-scattering spectroscopy. XRD, SEM, SAED and HRTEM indicated that the products were tetragonal SnO₂ nanowires with diameters of 10–50 nm. The nanowires were single crystal and solid inside. Dendritic nanowires were observed for the first time. Three vibrational modes were observed in the Raman spectra of the samples. Received: 7 January 2002 / Accepted: 11 April 2002 / Published online: 19 July 2002     

EPIR effect of Cu2O films by electrochemical deposition

Cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) films and Cu/Cu₂O/Cu/FTO sandwich structures were prepared by electrochemical deposition on conductive FTO substrates with different pH value conditions but constant deposition potential. The phase composition, crystal structure and microstructure of the Cu₂O films were characterized by XRD, SEM and EDS as well as by Electric–Pulse–Induced–Resistance (EPIR) perturbation. In particular, the switching effects of the Cu/Cu₂O/Cu/FTO device are examined in this work. The result shows that the EPIR-effect is large for the Cu/Cu₂O/Cu/FTO device at room temperature and strongly related to the pH value of the solution. In both acidic and neutral conditions, for example at pH = 5, 6 and 7, the EPIR effect is significant and decreases with increasing pH value. It disappears when the pH value goes further into the alkaline regime, i.e. pH = 8, 9 and 10. Space charge barriers at the interface of electrode and Cu₂O are used to explain the I–V characteristic of the layer structure and the EPIR-effect.     

Green luminescent ZnO:Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> nanoparticles for their applications in white-light generation from UV LEDs

Copper doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by a chemical technique based on a hydrothermal method. The crystallite sizes, estimated by XRD and TEM/SEM for different doping percentage of Cu²⁺ (1–10%), were found to be in the range of ~10–15 nm. TEM/SEM images showed formation of uniform nanorods, the aspect ratio of which varied with doping percentage. Photoluminescence (PL) measurement showed strong green visible emission and PL intensity was found enhanced with increase in doping percentage. The increase in the PL intensity was mainly due to Cu incorporation in ZnO lattice. Currently, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) giving ultraviolet emission have been combined with broad-band visible green phosphors to make white-light LEDs. Thus, green luminescent ZnO:Cu²⁺ nanoparticles are seen as necessary and condemnatory constituent for white-light generation from UV LEDs, underlying the importance of the current work.     

Photoluminescence and optical characterization of CdS nanoparticles prepared by solid-state method at low temperature

The photoluminescence (PL) and optical properties of CdS nanoparticles prepared by the solid-state method at low temperature have been discussed. The effects of NaCl and anionic surfactant SDBS (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate) on the luminescent properties of CdS nanophosphors prepared using this method, without the inert gas or the H₂S environment, were studied separately. The synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX). UV–VIS absorption and PL spectra were also studied. XRD studies confirmed the single-phase formation of CdS nanoparticles. TEM micrograph revealed the formation of nearly spherical nanoparticles with a diameter of 2.5 nm. The PL emission for the CdS shows the main peak at 560 nm with a shoulder at 624 nm, with an increase in the PL intensity after the addition of SDBS. The effect of Mn doping on PL intensity has also been investigated. The PL spectra show that the emission intensity decreases as the dopant concentration increases.     

Substrate effects on the oxygen gas sensing properties of SnO2/TiO2 thin films

In this study, SnO₂/TiO₂ thin films are fabricated on SiO₂/Si and Corning glass 1737 substrates using a R.F. magnetron sputtering process. The gas sensing properties of these films under an oxygen atmosphere with and without UV irradiation are carefully examined. The surface structure, morphology, optical transmission characteristics, and chemical compositions of the films are analyzed by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and PL spectrometry. It is found that the oxygen sensitivity of the films deposited on Corning glass 1737 substrates is significantly lower than that of the films grown on SiO₂/Si substrates. Therefore, the results suggest that SiO₂/Si is an appropriate substrate material for oxygen gas sensors fabricated using thin SnO₂/TiO₂ films.     

Comparative study on structural and optical properties of ZnO thin films prepared by PLD using ZnO powder target and ceramic target

Zinc oxide thin films have been obtained in O₂ ambient at a pressure of 1.3 Pa by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) using ZnO powder target and ceramic target. The effect of temperature on structural and optical properties of ZnO thin films was investigated systematically by XRD, SEM, FTIR and PL spectra. The results show that the best structural and optical properties can be achieved for ZnO thin film fabricated at 700 °C using powder target and at 400 °C using ceramic target, respectively. The PL spectrum reveals that the efficiency of UV emission of ZnO thin film fabricated by using powder target is low, and the defect emission of ZnO thin film derived from Zn_i and O_i is high.     

Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Green Synthesized Cu2O Nanoparticles Using Datura Metel L

In biomedical applications, Cu₂O nanoparticles are of great interest. The bioengineered route is eco-friendly for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Therefore, in the present study, there is an attempt to synthesis Cu₂O nanoparticles using Datura metel L. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis, XRD, and FT-IR. UV–Vis results suggest the presence of hyoscyamine, atropine in Datura metel L, and also, nanoparticles formation has been confirmed by the presence of absorption peak at 790 nm. The average crystallite size (19.56 nm) was obtained by XRD. FT-IR was also used to confirm the different functional groups. Fourier Power Spectrum was also employed to examine the synthesized nanomaterials spectrum data to emphasize the peak of the prominent frequencies. Density functional theory (DFT) was also utilized to assess the energy of the substance over time, which appears to indicate a stable molecule. Furthermore, calculated energies, thermodynamic properties (such as enthalpies, entropies, and Gibbs-free energies), modeled structures of complexes, crystals, and clusters, and predicted yields, rates, and regio- and stereospecificity of reactions were all in good agreement with experimental results. Overall, the results show that the successful production of Cu₂O nanoparticles with Datura metel L. corresponds to theoretical research.

     

Effect of impurity concentration on optical and magnetic properties in ZnS:Cu nanoparticles

To obtain enhanced room temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) along with the increase in optical bandgap in the compound semiconductors has been an interesting topic. Here, we report RTFM along with increase in energy bandgap in chemically synthesized Zn_1−xCu_xS (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.04) DMS nanoparticles. Structural properties of the synthesized samples studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show the formation of cubic phase Cu doped ZnS nanoparticles of ~3–5 nm size. An intrinsic weak ferromagnetic behavior was observed in pure ZnS sample (at 300 K) which got increased in Cu doped samples and was understood due to defect induced ferromagnetism. UV–vis measurement showed increase in the energy bandgap with the increase in Cu doping. The PL study suggested the presence of sulfur and zinc vacancies and surface defects which were understood contributing to the intrinsic FM behavior.     

Encapsulation of SnO2/Sn Nanoparticles into Mesoporous Carbon Nanowires and its Excellent Lithium Storage Properties

A peculiar nanostructure of encapsulation of SnO₂/Sn nanoparticles into mesoporous carbon nanowires (CNWs) has been successfully fabricated by a facile strategy and confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high‐resolution TEM (HRTEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), BET, energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectrometer, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterizations. The 1D mesoporous CNWs effectively accommodate the strain of volume change, prevent the aggregation and pulverization of nanostructured SnO₂/Sn, and facilitate electron and ion transport throughout the electrode. Moreover, the void space surrounding SnO₂/Sn nanoparticles also provides buffer spaces for the volumetric change of SnO₂/Sn during cycling, thus resulting in excellent cycling performance as potential anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries. Even after 499 cycles, a reversible capacity of 949.4 mAh g^?1 is retained at 800 mA g^?1. Its unique architecture should be responsible for the superior electrochemical performance.