Structural, morphological, and gas response properties of citrate gel synthesized nanocrystalline ZnO and Zn0.9Cd0.1O materials

ZnO and Zn0.9Cd0.1O powders were synthesized using a citrate gel combustion method. The citrate gel combustion process provides homogeneous and phase pure nanocrystalline powders through a single step exothermic reaction. The pellets of ZnO and Zn0.9Cd0.1O were sintered at 600 °C for 6 h and further used to study their structural, morphological, and gas response properties. The XRD and TEM study reveals formation of nanocrystaline powders for both compositions. The gas sensing properties of the pelletized sensor materials were studied at operating temperatures from 200 to 450 °C. It has been observed that gas response considerably depends upon the operating temperature and test gas species. The operating temperature of the ZnO sensor significantly decreased with addition of cadmium. The reproducibility and stability study of Zn0.9Cd0.1O confirmed its candidature for acetone sensor related applications.