Substrate critical effect on the structural and H-2 Gas sensing characteristics of solution-processed Zn0.075Cu0.025O films


SARF F., Er I. K., YAKAR E., ACAR S.

MATERIALS RESEARCH EXPRESS, vol.8, no.12, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 8 Issue: 12
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1088/2053-1591/ac3f09
  • Journal Name: MATERIALS RESEARCH EXPRESS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, Chemical Abstracts Core, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, INSPEC, Metadex, Directory of Open Access Journals, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: metal oxides, chemical bath deposition, H-2 gas sensing, resistive sensor, NANOCRYSTALLINE THIN-FILMS, ZNO SEED LAYER, OPTICAL-PROPERTIES, GRAIN-SIZE, SENSOR, NANORODS, GROWTH, CO
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this study, we report the synthesis of Zn0.075Cu0.025O films by chemical bath deposition to determine the effect of substrate (glass slide or ZnO seed layer) on the structural and H-2 gas sensing properties of the produced films. The crystal phase, structural topography, surface morphology, and functional groups of the as-synthesized films as well as H-2 gas sensing properties were investigated. Although both films have a hexagonal wurtzite structure, ZnO seed layer-based Zn0.075Cu0.025O film is more crystalline than glass slide-based Zn0.075Cu0.025O films. ZnO seed layer-based Zn0.075Cu0.025O films exhibited much more nanorod and fewer nanosphere forms compared to glass slide-based Zn0.075Cu0.025O films. EDX analysis and Raman spectra of both samples confirmed the presence of defects in Cu: ZnO samples. ZnO seed layer-based sensors showed higher response (140%) and lower operating temperature (80 degrees C) compared to glass slide-based sensors (87% response and 140 degrees C operating temperature). The most important thing to note here is that the fabricated sensors exhibited a high response at room temperature. The responses at room temperature were found as 46% and 23% for the ZnO seed layer-based and glass slide-based sensors, respectively. Sensors operating at room temperature are especially important for commercial applications.