Tuning of ZnO 1D nanostructures by atomic layer deposition and electrospinning for optical gas sensor applications

We explored for the first time the ability of a three-dimensional polyacrylonitrile/ZnO material—prepared by a combination of electrospinning and atomic layer deposition (ALD) as a new material with a large surface area—to enhance the performance of optical sensors for volatile organic compound (VOC) detection. The photoluminescence (PL) peak intensity of these one-dimensional nanostructures has been enhanced by a factor of 2000 compared to a flat Si substrate. In addition, a phase transition of the ZnO ALD coating from amorphous to crystalline has been observed due to the properties of a polyacrylonitrile nanofiber template: surface strain, roughness, and an increased number of nucleation sites in comparison with a flat Si substrate. The greatly improved PL performance of these nanostructured surfaces could produce exciting materials for implantation in VOC optical sensor applications.

Roman Viter, Adib Abou Chaaya, Igor Iatsunskyi, Grzegorz Nowaczyk, Kristaps Kovalevskis, Donats Erts, Philippe Miele, Valentyn Smyntyna and Mikhael Bechelany

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