‘Green’ prepare SnO2 nanofibers by shaddock peels: application for detection of volatile organic compound gases

One-dimensional fiber-like SnO2 nanomaterials (SnO2 nanofibers) were prepared by ‘green’ preparation approach that using shaddock peels as bio-templates via a facile hydrothermal method for the first time. The microstructure, morphology, chemical states and specific surface areas were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and N2 adsorption–desorption, respectively. Results indicating the as-synthesized SnO2 are fiber-like structures and composed of numerous nanoparticles, and with large specific surface areas (36.50 m2 g−1). The XPS spectra confirms that the existence of adsorbed oxygen (Oads) on the surface of product, which may lead to the response of gas sensor. The gas-sensing properties of the sensor based on SnO2 nanofibers for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were investigated, such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, formaldehyde and n-butanol. The sensor showed high gas response, low detection limit and fast response towards various VOCs gases at the optimal operating temperature of 260 °C. These results demonstrated the potential of using as-synthesized SnO2 nanofibers for VOCs gases detection. In addition, the possible formation mechanism and the gas-sensing mechanism were also discussed.