Preparation and ethanol sensing properties of WS2-ZnFe2O4 composites

• The WS 2 -ZnFe 2 O 4 nanocomposite was prepared by ultrasonic mixing method. • WS 2 addition reduces ZnFe 2 O 4 agglomeration, increasing specific surface area and oxygen vacancy content of the composite. • The sensor showed excellent gas sensing properties with short response time, high response, and good linear fitting. In this work, ZnFe 2 O 4 was prepared by solvothermal-calcination method, and their composites with different contents of WS 2 by ultrasonic mixing method. The obtained samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, XPS, etc. The gas-sensing properties test results showed that the 5 wt% WS 2 -ZnFe 2 O 4 exhibited a higher response (26.0), short response/recovery time (17.33 s/13 s), and an excellent linear fitting relationship for 100 ppm ethanol. This indicates that the sensor has the potential for rapid quantification of ethanol gas detection. Additionally, compared to ZnFe 2 O 4 , the 5 wt% WS 2 -ZnFe 2 O 4 demonstrated improved optimal operating temperature and gas selectivity. These findings indicate that WS 2 has the potential for the future design and development of composite gas sensing materials.