Synthesis and Characterization of Ultrafine Ag/ZnO Nanotetrapods (AZNTP) for Environment Humidity Sensing

Abstract

Ag/ZnO nanotetrapods (AZNTP) are prepared using silver (I)–bis (oxalato) zinc complex and 1, 3-diaminopropane (DAP) under a phase separation system. This crystal structure and lattice constant of the AZNTP was investigated by means of XRD, TEM, and UV-vis spectrum. AZNTP films with 23 nm in arm diameter and high surface activity work at room temperature as humidity sensors. AZNTP have shown some properties including quick response with high sensitivity, a longer life span and recovery, and no need for heat regeneration. Moreover, AZNTP could form OH group with physisorbed water in wet environments. The results of the present study demonstrated that the growth and characterization of AZNTP for environmental humidity sensing and DAP play an original role in the determination of particle morphology. Ultra-thin AZNTP has also been tested as a resistance sensor, having an unusual high sensitivity to moisture.

Keywords: 1, 3-Diaminopropane (DAP), Ag/ZnO nanotetrapods (AZNTP), Bimetallic, Humidity sensors, Controlled growth, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM),