Triethylamine gas sensor based on ZnO nanorods prepared by a simple solution route

Well-crystallized ZnO nanorods were prepared by a simple solution route using dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid sodium salt (DBS) as a modifying agent. The crystal structure and morphology of the as-grown product were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). It was found that the hexagonal ZnO nanorods can be controllably prepared by the modification of DBS, which have an average diameter of 75 nm and the length of 2–4 μm. ZnO sensor was fabricated from the ZnO nanorods and its gas-sensing properties were investigated. High selectivity and superior sensitivity of the ZnO sensor to dilute triethylamine (TEA) were observed at a low operating temperature of 150 °C. The sensor is a promising candidate for practical detector for low-concentration TEA.