In this work, we report the spontaneous formation of NiO nanoparticles-decorated onto smooth SnO(2)nanofibers, which is an inexpensive and scalable method for yielding a high composite surface area via a simple two-step synthesis process based on electrospinning and the hydrothermal method. A Nickel Oxide proton-conducting electrolyte is deposited homogeneously over a large surface area in a transparent solution, mixed and decorated onto Tin dioxide nanofibers, as evidenced by cross sectional imaging of the electrospun nanofibers. The composite based on nanoparticle-decorated fibers enlarges the surface area of the exposed electrolyte, which fundamentally improves the overall gas sensing performance. The crystal structure, morphology, and physio-chemical surface state of the NiO/SnO2-based specimen are comprehensively examined using XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, EDX, and photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopy. The composite based on NiO/SnO(2)nanoparticle-decorated fibers exhibits an optimistic mesoporous nature with a huge specific area, which is key for superior gas sensors. The result reveals that NiO/SnO(2)nanoparticle-decorated fibers with an average size of 180-260 nm in diameter, where the average length of fibers was about 1.5 mu m. The composite-based heterojunction of NiO/SnO(2)nanoparticle-decorated fibers enhances the adsorption of oxygen molecules, which show fast response, good selectivity and quick recovery speed against ethanol gas at an optimal temperature of about 160 degrees C. The maximum sensitivity response of the sensor-based composite NiO/SnO(2)nanoparticle-decorated fibers was 23.87 in respect of 100 ppm ethanol gas at a low temperature of 160 degrees C; this is approximately about 7.2 times superior to that of pure SnO(2)nanofibers. The superior gas sensing capabilities of a composite based on NiO/SnO(2)nanoparticle-decorated fibers may be attributable to the enhanced catalytic effect of the small sized NiO nanoparticles on smooth SnO(2)nanofibers, together with the p/n heterojunction effects between NiO and SnO(2)heterostructures.

• Journal: Nanotechnology
• Volume: 31
• Issue:
• Pages:
• ISSN: 0957-4484
• DOI:
• Year: 2020
• Number: 39
• Type: Journal Article