Synthesis of Zn2SnO4 via a co-precipitation method and its gas-sensing property toward ethanol

•Uniform Zn2SnO4 nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method.•The Zn2SnO4 product had a high surface area of 111.2m2/g and a narrow pore size distribution.•The Zn2SnO4-based sensor exhibited a respond of 26.5–50ppm ethanol gas at 180°C. In this work, uniform Zn2SnO4 nanoparticles were synthesized with a simple co-precipitation method followed by hydrothermal post-treatment process. For comparison, pure ZnO and SnO2 samples were obtained with the same method. These products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and N2 absorption–desorption analysis. The ethanol-sensing properties of as-prepared Zn2SnO4 nanostructure sensor was systematically investigated and compared with the pure ZnO and SnO2 sensors. The results revealed that the Zn2SnO4-based sensor exhibited a low operating temperature, high response, good repeatability, and long-term stability toward ethanol gas.