Chemical synthesis of zinc oxide nanorods for enhanced hydrogen gas sensing

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods are prepared using equimolar solution of zinc nitrate ((Zn(NO3)2) and hexamethylenetetramine (C6H12N4) by the hydrothermal technique at 80 °C for 12 h. Epitaxial growth is explored by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, revealing that the ZnO nanorods have a hexagonal (wurtzite) structure. Absorption spectra of ZnO are measured by UV—visible spectrometer. The surface morphology is investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The synthesized ZnO nanorods are used for detecting the 150 °C hydrogen gas with a concentration over 1000 ppm. The obtained results show a reversible response. The influence of operating temperature on hydrogen gas detecting characteristic of ZnO nanorods is also investigated.