Hierarchically assembled porous ZnO microstructures and applications in a gas sensor

This paper presents a facile, low-cost and pollution-free route to prepare porous metal oxide nanomaterials. Hierarchically assembled ZnO microstructures with multi-scaled porosity were obtained by calcining the flower-like assembly of a basic zinc carbonate (BZC) precursor which was synthesized by a facile low-temperature (100 ^°C) homogenous precipitation without using any organic solvent or surfactant. A gas sensor based on the porous ZnO sample exhibited higher response to ethanol and formaldehyde gases than commercial ZnO powder. The facile preparation method and the improved property derived from the hierarchically porous microstructure are of great significance in the synthesis and application of nanomaterials.