Synergistic effect of the reducing ability and hydrogen bonds of tested gases: highly orientational CdS dendrite sensors

Abstract

Semiconductor gas sensors play important roles in detecting toxic gases in various workplaces for human safety. The gas-sensing characteristics of highly orientational CdS dendrite (HOCSD) sensors were investigated. The results showed that the HOCSD sensors exhibited an excellent response and high response speed to HCOOH and N₂H₄, compared to HCHO and n-BuNH₂. The high performance of the HOCSD sensors towards HCOOH and N₂H₄ detection could be attributed to two factors: the improved diffusion and adsorption/desorption ability of the CdS dendrites, and the synergistic effect of the reduction ability and hydrogen bonds of detected gases. Moreover, it is believed that the HOCSD sensors could be potentially applied to detect the HCOOH and N₂H₄ with high response, fast response speed and good repeatability.