Rapid detection of low concentrations of H2S using CuO-doped ZnO nanofibers

In this study, a sol-gel method and an electrospinning method were used to prepare CuO-doped ZnO heterojunction nanofibers. The CuO-doped ZnO nanofibers were grown on interdigitated gold electrode substrates and then used in gas sensors. We found that when the mole ratio of CuO to ZnO was 0.15: 1, the sensing response of H2S was greatly enhanced and was 25% higher than that obtained using pure ZnO nanofibers. The best H2S gas response was 83.98% at 1 ppm H2S at 200 °C, with good recovery and reproducibility. [Display omitted] •CuO-doped ZnO heterojunction nanofibers were successfully prepared as gas sensing materials using an electrospinning method.•The CuO-doped ZnO nanofiber gas sensor can quickly detect ppm level H2S gas.•The best H2S gas response is 83.98% at 1 ppm H2S under 200 °C, with good recovery and reproducibility.