In this paper, Co 3 O 4 -ZnO nanomaterials with Co 3 O 4 doping mass fractions of 0%, 2.13%, 4.13%, and 6.13% were prepared by sol-gel method. In order to explain and confirm the influence of the incorporation of Co 3 O 4 on the surface morphology and gas sensitivity of ZnO at a relatively low gas concentration, additional studies such as XRD, XPS, SEM, EDS and UV-vis spectroscopy were performed. And its photoelectric response to 100 ppm acetone at near room temperature and visible light irradiation was studied. Due to the formation of P-N heterojunctions, the Co 3 O 4 -ZnO heterostructural nanoparticles has a highe response to low concentrations of acetone gas than undoped ZnO nanoparticles even at operating temperatures as low as 30ºC. The addition of Co 3 O 4 improves the sensitivity and selectivity of ZnO thick films. The sensitivity of the 4.13wt% Co 3 O 4 -ZnO sample to 100 ppm acetone at a working temperature of 30ºC was 24.36. The light excitation effect was significantly enhanced. Under visible light irradiation, the sensitivity can reach 37.21. In addition, the Co 3 O 4 -ZnO P-N heterojunction model was combined with visible light excitation theory to further explore the mechanism of gas sensing reaction.
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