LPG Sensing of Nanostructured Zinc Oxide and Zinc Niobate

This paper reports the comparative performances of the LPG sensing properties of zinc oxide and zinc niobate nanomaterials synthesized through conventional precipitation route. X-ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopic studies have been performed. Nanosheets-like morphology of ZnO and nanobeads of ZnNb₂O₆ have been obtained. XRD patterns reveal that ZnNb₂O₆ is more crystalline than ZnO. The average particle size of ZnO is found to be 35 nm and for ZnNb₂O₆ is 45 nm. Variations in resistance with the exposure of gas through the sensing elements have been studied. Sensitivity and sensor response factors have been compared. Both sensing elements are sensitive to LPG but sensing element made of ZnNb₂O₆ is more sensitive over the entire range of observations.