Needle-like Zn-doped SnO ₂ nanorods with enhanced photocatalytic and gas sensing properties

Zn-doped SnO ₂ nanorods have been prepared by a simple hydrothermal method on a large scale. The as-prepared samples were characterized by x-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UVvis absorption spectra and photoluminescence spectra. Studies found that the products are needle-like single-crystalline nanorods grown along the [112̄] orientation. The photocatalytic properties of the synthesized Zn-doped SnO ₂ were investigated by decomposing acid fuchsine, showing much higher photocatalytic activity than pure SnO ₂ nanorods and bulk SnO ₂ powders. An enhanced gas sensing ability toward methanal, ethanol and acetone gases is also achieved in high sensitivity and fast response. The origins of the enhanced performances are discussed.