6–10 Jul 2026
University of the Western Cape
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
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The study of ZnO nanostructures for gas sensing applications

7 Jul 2026, 17:20
1h 20m
Great Hall (University of the Western Cape)

Great Hall

University of the Western Cape

Poster Presentation Track A - Physics of Condensed Matter and Materials Poster Session 1

Speaker

NHLAKANIPHO WISEMAN KHOZA (UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND)

Description

Nhlakanipho Khoza1,2 ,Puleng Biyela1 and Prince Mkwae1
1Department of Physics, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa, 3886, South Africa
2Mangosuthu University of Technology, 511 Griffiths Mxenge Hwy, Umlazi, Durban, 4031, South Africa

200903453@stu.unizulu.ac.za

Abstract

In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures were synthesized on a silicon (Si) substrate via the hydrothermal method. The structural and morphological properties of the samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of ZnO, with a preferential growth orientation along the c-axis. The diffraction peaks observed at 2θ = 31.84°, 34.58°, 36.31°, 47.53°, 56.73°, and 62.94° correspond to the (100), (002), (101), (102), (110), and (103) planes, respectively, which are characteristic of the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO (JCPDS No. 01-1136). SEM analysis revealed the formation of well-defined hexagonal nanoflower-like structures. Gas sensing measurements were carried out for various gases, and the sensor exhibited high selectivity toward ammonia (NH₃) gas at room temperature.

Keywords: ZnO, Si, Ammonia(NH3)

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Authors

NHLAKANIPHO WISEMAN KHOZA (UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND) Dr PRINCE MKWAE (UNIVESITY OF ZULULAND) Dr PULENG BIYELA (UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND)

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