CTAB-assisted synthesis of unique 3D ZnO and the acetone sensing performances

Flower-like ZnO nanostructure composed of orderly nanoplates was synthesized by a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-assisted hydrothermal method. The unique ZnO nanostructure was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The possible formation mechanism of flower-like ZnO nanostructure is proposed. The positively charged CTA+ surfactant can act as an ionic carrier, as well as an agglomeration inhibitor in the orientation growth of ZnO nanoplates. Moreover, the gas sensing properties for acetone were also investigated. The sensor shows high response and good selectivity to acetone gas at the optimum operating temperature of 300°C. The excellent gas sensing performances of the flower-like ZnO indicate that ZnO sensor synthesized by the CTAB-assisted hydrothermal method can be used as a promising sensing material for fabricating acetone sensors. •Flower-like ZnO composed of nanoplates was synthesized by CTAB-assisted hydrothermal method.•The possible formation mechanism of the unique flower-like ZnO nanostructure is proposed.•The ZnO sensor shows high response and good selectivity to acetone gas at 300°C.