AuPd alloy nanoparticles functionalized ZnO: enhanced ethanol sensing performance

In this paper, AuPd alloy nanoparticles (NPs) are prepared by co-reduction method using double reducing agents. Different mass percentages of AuPd alloy NPs loaded ZnO nanomaterials are prepared by classical impregnation method. The gas sensing properties of the sensor are studied. 0.5 wt% AuPd–ZnO exhibits a higher gas sensing response (Ra/Rg = 32, 50 ppm ethanol), which is 1.88 times that of ZnO gas sensing response. At the same time, the response/recovery time is 2 s/29 s. Compared with ZnO, the recovery time is reduced by 55 s. At last, the sensing mechanism in the process of gas sensing test is analyzed based on AuPd alloy NPs and ZnO.