Enhancing the Photon- and Gas-Sensing Properties of a Single SnO₂Nanowire Based Nanodevice by Nanoparticle Surface Functionalization

Field-effect transistors based on a single SnO 2 nanowire were successfully fabricated, and their photon- and gas-sensing properties were investigated. It is found that the sensitivity of single SnO 2 nanowire based devices was remarkably improved by surface functionalization with ZnO or NiO nanoparticles. The heterojunction between the surface coating layers and SnO 2 and the corresponding coupling effect of the two sensing materials play a critical role in controlling device sensitivity.