Synthesis, Characterization and Ammonia Sensing Properties of Mn Doped Zinc Oxide Nano-Composite

This paper reports the synthesis, characterization and ammonia sensing properties of nano-sized Zinc oxide (ZnO) and its nano composite Mn doped ZnO. A simple chemical co-precipitation method is used for the synthesis of ZnO nano-sized powder and its nano-composite. Zinc Acetate (Zn (C2H3O2) 2), Manganese acetate (Mn (CH3COO) 2 2H2O) and the sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were used as a starting materials and double distilled water as a carrier. The resulting nano-sized powder was characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDAX). The NH3 sensing properties of the synthesized nano-sized ZnO were investigated at different operating temperatures and NH3 concentrations. The effects of operating temperature on the sensitivity, selectivity, response and recovery of the sensor in the presence of NH3 and other gases were studied and discussed.