title: Designed formation through a metal organic framework route of ZnO/ZnCo2O4hollow core-shell nanocages with enhanced gas sensing properties.
abstract: The rational design of nanoscale metal oxides with hollow structures and tunable porosity has stimulated tremendous attention due to their vital importance for practical applications. Here, we report the designed synthesis of ZnO/ZnCo2O4hollow core-shell nanocages (HCSNCs) through a metal-organic framework (MOF) route. The strategy includes the synthesis of a zeolite imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8)/Co-Zn hydroxide core-shell nanostructure precursor and subsequent transformation to ZnO/ZnCo2O4HCSNCs by thermal annealing of the as-prepared precursor in air. Various techniques were employed for characterization of the structure and morphology of the as-prepared ZnO/ZnCo2O4HCSNCs. When applied as a gas sensing material, the ZnO/ZnCo2O4HCSNCs show enhanced sensitivity to xylene when compared with ZnCo2O4shells as well as ZnO nanocages (NCs). In addition, excellent reversibility and superior selectivity of the sensor were observed. The remarkable enhancement in the gas-sensing properties of the ZnO/ZnCo2O4HCSNCs is attributed to their unique structure and a synergistic effect of ZnO and ZnCo2O4.
authors.affiliation: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, People's Republic of China. myang@dicp.ac.cn.
authors.forename: Fengdong
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8681-3288
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.affiliation: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, People's Republic of China. myang@dicp.ac.cn.
authors.forename: Huifang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, People's Republic of China. myang@dicp.ac.cn.
authors.forename: Minghui
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang