Photochemical Decoration of Metal/Metal-Oxide Nanoparticles on SnO2 Nanorods for Improved Hybrid Gas Sensors and Photodetectors for Environmental Applications

Highly oriented SnO₂ nanorods were grown on different substrates by using the Vapor-Liquid-Solid (VLS) technique. The nanorods films were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Photochemical nanoparticle decoration using a UV radiation source of 254nm wavelength was carried out to generate dispersed metallic (Au & Ag) and metal-oxide (CuO & NiO) nanoparticles attached on separated samples. The pre-decoration precursor solutions were prepared at same morality ratio and were used for chemical bath decoration at same irradiation time. The resulting hybrid transducer properties will be extensively discussed.

Chemical sensing properties of the as-prepared hybrid films demonstrated high selectivity gas detection response to CO, H₂S, C₂H₆O and C₃H₆O. Light sensitivity properties have been characterized as well; a significant increased photocurrent in response to UV radiation was observed. The devise processing and experimental measurement parameters will be described and preliminary results will be presented.

This work is supported by NSF-CREST organization.