ZnO nanowire gas sensor with UV-light for improved sensitivity

Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.The original publication is available at http://scidoc.org/ijnst.phpZnO nanowires are synthesised on a patterned substrate in order to see the response to different gases. Under ambient conditions the sensor shows very little response to any gas. A UV-light source is used to increase the sensitivity of the sensor by increasing the conductivity of the ZnO nanowires. The UV-light decreases the number of oxygen ions present on the surface of the ZnO nanowires which leads to better sensitivity. The sensor, with the aid of the laser, can distinguish between the different gases that were used, argon, oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. When a mixture of two gases was used the response fell in between the response of the individual gases. The obtained results are repeatable and consistent over different sensors.Stellenbosch UniversityPublishers' versio