Open AccessHydrothermal synthesis of Hydrangea macrophylla-like Ce-doped SnO2 microspheres and their enhanced sensing properties
Author(s) -
Quan Diao,
Yuna Yin,
Xiumei Xu,
SU Chao-hua,
Junyan Cao,
Qi Qin,
Mingli Jiao,
Kai Yang
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
materials research express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2053-1591
DOI - 10.1088/2053-1591/abb90d
Subject(s) - materials science , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , hydrothermal circulation , scanning electron microscope , doping , analytical chemistry (journal) , transmission electron microscopy , hydrothermal synthesis , microstructure , nuclear chemistry , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , chemistry , composite material , chromatography , optoelectronics , engineering
The hydrangea macrophylla -like SnO 2 microspheres doped with different Ce contents (0, 2, 6 and 10 mol%) were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. The crystal phase, micro morphology and element composites were investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and x-ray photoelectric spectroscopy (XPS). The results demonstrated the hydrangea macrophylla -like microstructure of the prepared samples and the existence of Ce 3+ /Ce 4+ when doped with Ce element. Furthermore, the synthesized Ce-doped SnO 2 samples’ sensing properties were investigated. The SnO 2 microspheres doped with 6 mol% showed the largest response to acetone during 0.2–20 ppm at 320 °C as well as good selectivity and reproducibility. As discussed, the Ce doping that generates n-n type heterojunction and the Ce 3+ /Ce 4+ conversion increases the resistance change of Ce-doped SnO 2 in reducing atmosphere and enhances the response.