The enhanced ethanol sensing properties of CNT@ZnSnO3 hollow boxes derived from Zn-MOF(ZIF-8)

Abstract In this report, a novel hollow boxes shape ZnSnO3 is synthesized via a one-pot surfactant-free method. We synthesize CNT@ZnSnO3 hollow boxes via hydrothermal reaction by using the Zn-MOF(ZIF-8) as the Zn source at the first time. Several characterization techniques are used to investigate the structure, morphology, composition and specific surface area of CNT@ZnSnO3. CNT@ZnSnO3 hollow boxes demonstrated large specific surface area (up to 45.73 m2/g), which is favorable for the strong gas sensor response. The ethanol sensor based on CNT@ZnSnO3 hollow boxes exhibited high response of ethanol up to 166 at 240 °C at the concentration of 100 ppm, which is about 8 times higher than the sensing response of ZnSnO3 nanocubes. Moreover, CNT@ZnSnO3 hollow boxes based ethanol sensor also shows the excellent selectivity and stability. As a novel green gas sensor, CNT@ZnSnO3 hollow boxes show the great potential in the gas sensing field.