Organic/inorganic hybrid nanostructures of polycrystalline perylene diimide decorated ZnO nanorods highly enhanced dual sensing performance of UV light/CO gas sensors

Organic/inorganic hybrid nanostructures-based dual light-detecting/gas-sensing devices were fabricated. In this research, polycrystalline perylene diimide (PDI) membrane was coated on ZnO nanorods (NRs), functioning as sensing nanocomposites. Multiple material analyses including scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) indicate that organic perylene diimide was successfully deposited on ZnO NRs, forming organic/inorganic membrane on the sensing device. To examine the influence of organic/inorganic hybrid nanostructure on photo-sensing and gas-sensing behaviors, UV light detection and CO gas sensing impulse response were measured. Results reveal that organic/inorganic hybrid nanostructure can effectively enhance UV light and CO gas dual-sensing properties with addition of PDI. The coating of organic PDI on the ZnO NRs not only improves the gas interaction capability and gas-sensing stability but also enhances the UV absorption efficiency. Owing to advantages of low cost, simple fabrication, compact size, and device stability, hybrid PDI/ZnO organic/inorganic light/gas dual-sensing devices are promising for future portable hazardous light and gas sensing applications.