the ph response and sensing mechanism of n-type znoelectrolyte interfacesph值响应和n型传感机制znoelectrolyte接口.pdfVIP

Sensors 2009, 9, 7445-7480; doi:10.3390/ OPEN ACCESS sensors ISSN 1424-8220 /journal/sensors Review The pH Response and Sensing Mechanism of n-Type ZnO/Electrolyte Interfaces Safaa Al-Hilli * and Magnus Willander Department of Science and Technology, Campus Norrköping, Linköping University, SE-60174 Norrköping, Sweden; E-Mail: Magnus.Willander@itn.liu.se * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: Safaa.Al-Hilli@itn.liu.se; Tel.: +46-11-363-377; Fax: +46-11-363-270. Received: 26 August 2009 / Accepted: 9 September 2009 / Published: 16 September 2009 Abstract: Ever since the discovery of the pH-sensing properties of ZnO crystals, researchers have been exploring their potential in electrochemical applications. The recent expansion and availability of chemical modification methods has made it possible to generate a new class of electrochemically active ZnO nanorods. This reduction in size of ZnO (to a nanocrystalline form) using new growth techniques is essentially an example of the nanotechnology fabrication principle. The availability of these ZnO nanorods opens up an entire new and exciting research direction in the field of electrochemical sensing. This review covers the latest advances and mechanism of pH-sensing using ZnO nanorods, with an emphasis on the nano-interface mechanism.