Enhanced benzene sensing property of Au-Pd@ZnO and Au-Pt@ZnO core-shell nanoparticles: The function of Pt/Pd decorated Au-ZnO hetero-interface

•Benzene sensing performance was evaluated for synthesized core-shell nanoparticles.•Au-Pd@ZnO and Au-Pt@ZnO sensors had enhanced benzene sensing performance.•Work function differences caused excited electrons redistribution at hetero-interfaces.•Decoration of Pd/Pt enhances the electron transfer phenomenon at hetero-interfaces.