Gas sensing applications of 1D-nanostructured zinc oxide: Insights from density functional theory calculations

Gas sensor devices have traditionally comprised thin films of metal oxides, with tin oxide, zinc oxide and indium oxide being some of the most common materials employed. With the recent discovery of novel metal oxide nanostructures, sensors comprising nano-arrays or single nanostructures have shown improved performance over the thin films. The improved response of the nanostructures to different gases has been primarily attributed to the highly single crystalline surfaces as well as large surface area of the nanostructures. In this paper the properties of clean and defected quasi one-dimensional ZnO nanostructures, including hexagonal and triangular nanowires, nanotubes and facetted nanotubes are reviewed. The adsorption of atoms and molecules on the ZnO nanostructures are also reviewed and the findings are compared to studies examining similar reactions on nanostructured metal oxide surfaces for sensing purposes. While both experimental and theoretical approaches have been employed to examine gas sensor reactions, this review focuses on studies that employ electronic structure calculations, which primarily concentrate on using density functional theory. Computational studies have been useful in elucidating the reaction mechanism, binding strength, charge transfer as well as other electronic and structural properties of the nanomaterials and the gas-sensor interaction. Despite these studies there are still significant areas of research that need to be pursued that will assist in the link between theoretical and experimental findings, as well as advancing the current chemical and physical understanding of these novel materials. A summary and outlook for future directions of this exciting area of research is also provided.