Green light activated hydrogen sensing of nanocrystalline composite ZnO-In2O3 films at room temperature.

The possibility of reducing the operating temperature of H2 gas sensor based on ZnO-In2O3 down to room temperature under green illumination is shown. It is found that sensitivity of ZnO-In2O3 composite to H2 nonmonotonically depends on the oxides' content. The optimal ratio between the components is chosen. The new mechanism of nanocrystalline ZnO-In2O3 sensor sensitivity to H2 under illumination by green light is proposed. The mechanism considers the illumination turns the composite into nonequilibrium state and the photoconductivity change in the H2 atmosphere is linked with alteration of nonequilibrium charge carriers recombination rate.