Design and Study of Silk Cocoon-ZnO Micro-Nanocomposite based Gas Sensor for Detection of Flammable Gas at Room Temperature

Abstract

In present work, a simple hydrothermal method is employed for the synthesis of silk cocoon-ZnO micro-nanocomposite and investigation of their gas sensing is reported. The ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using hydrothermal methods and coated on the surface of silk cocoon layers using a simple doctor-blade method. The as-prepared silk cocoon-ZnO micro-nanocomposite materials were analyzed using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and IV characteristics. The results confirm the formation of pure ZnO and silk cocoon-ZnO micro-nanocomposite with rod-like morphology. The surface of silk cocoon fibers was uniformly coated with ZnO nanorods. The gas sensing property of the as-prepared silk cocoon-ZnO micro-nanocomposite was evaluated against the leakage of LPG gas at room temperature. Voltage-Time curve analysis was performed and found that with the detection of LPG gas there is an increase in the voltage. Based on the present findings, it is proposed that silk cocoon-ZnO micro-nanocomposite based devices will be suitable for light weight, biocompatible and low-cost gas sensors.