A surfactant-free strategy to expose high-activity facets of SnO2 nanorod arrays for boosting gas sensing performance
摘要
In the realm of advanced materials, the development of one-dimensional (1D) nanoarrays with high-activity facets is of paramount importance due to their pivotal roles in catalysis, energy storage, and sensing applications. However, achieving a high exposure ratio of these active facets while maintaining the integrity of the 1D nanoarray morphology presents a significant challenge. Traditional surfactant-assisted synthesis methods, although effective in controlling morphology, often compromise the active site accessibility and alter the inherent properties of nanomaterials. Herein, we report a surfactant-free, thermodynamic-driven nucleation aggregation strategy that successfully increases the high-activity facet ratio in SnO2 1D nanoarrays. By precisely modulating the precursor concentration, we achieve a remarkable increase in the (101) to (110) facet ratio. The synthesized Pd-SnO2-H exhibits an exceptional H2 sensing performance, with one of the highest response levels recorded across various material categories, including metals, metal oxides, and carbon-based composites. Demonstrating its practical utility, Pd-SnO2-H has showcased an impressively swift response time of 1.6 s to a 1% H2 leak and excellent applicability under mild and harsh conditions, underscoring its potential in real-time H2 monitoring. This study offers a promising pathway to overcome the synthetic challenges and unlock the full potential of 1D nanoarrays for various chemical applications.