ZnO hierarchical nanostructures grown at room temperature and their C2H5OH sensor applications

Highly crystalline ZnO hierarchical nanostructures were prepared at room temperature through the alkaline hydrolysis of zinc salt by the forced mixing of two immiscible solutions: Zn-nitrate aqueous solution and oleic-acid-dissolved n-hexane solution. The oleic acid acted as a surfactant in the room-temperature formation of well-defined ZnO hierarchical nanostructures, which subsequently demonstrated a sensitive and selective detection of C2H5OH. The responses of these hierarchical nanostructures to 10–100 ppm C2H5OH ranged from 15.7 to 177.7, which were 7–9 times higher than those of the agglomerated nanoparticles.