Microwave-assisted synthesis, characterization and ammonia sensing properties of polymer-capped star-shaped zinc oxide nanostructures

Zinc oxide nanostructures were prepared by microwave-irradiation technique in the presence of polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a shape modifier. The synthesized nanostructures were analyzed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, selected-area electron diffraction, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Characterization techniques revealed the formation of crystalline ZnO with a star-like shaped morphology, having the crystal structure of wurtzite. The micro-wave irradiated samples were further investigated to exploit their electrical and sensing properties. The good sensitivity and relatively short response and recovery times of chemoresistive sensors based on star-like ZnO thick films in the monitoring of low concentration of ammonia gas in air were related to he peculiar nanostructure of the sensing layer.