Obtaining of ZnO/Fe₂O₃ Thin Nanostructured Films by AACVD for Detection of ppb-Concentrations of NO₂ as a Biomarker of Lung Infections

Abstract

ZnO/Fe2O3 nanocomposites with different concentration and thickness of the Fe2O3 layer were obtained by two-stage aerosol vapor deposition (AACVD). It was shown that the ZnO particles have a wurtzite structure with an average size of 51–66 nm, and the iron oxide particles on the ZnO surface have a hematite structure and an average size of 23–28 nm. According to EDX data, the iron content in the films was found to be 1.3–5.8 at.%. The optical properties of the obtained films were studied, and the optical band gap was found to be 3.16–3.26 eV. Gas-sensitive properties at 150–300 °C were studied using a wide group of analyte gases: CO, NH3, H2, CH4, C6H6, ethanol, acetone, and NO2. A high response to 100 ppm acetone and ethanol at 225–300 °C and a high and selective response to 300–2000 ppb NO2 at 175 °C were established. The effect of humidity on the magnitude and shape of the signal obtained upon NO2 detection was studied.

Keywords

• AACVD
• chemoresistive gas sensors
• zinc oxide (ZnO)
• iron oxide (Fe₂O₃)
• thin films
• nanocomposites