Catanionic-surfactant-controlled morphosynthesis and gas-sensing properties of corundum-type In(2)O(3)

Metastable corundum-type In(2)O(3) hierarchical structures with various morphologies inherited InOOH nanostructures, which were generated via a catanionic-surfactant-assisted solvothermal process. The products were characterized in detail by x-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and HRTEM. These superstructures were built from one-dimensional components. The one-dimensional preferential growth is explained in terms of the crystallographic features of InOOH. The effects of reaction parameters on the formation of nanostructures are also discussed. It is demonstrated that both laurylamine and oleic acid play an important role in the generation of InOOH hierarchical structures. Gas sensors composed of In(2)O(3) hierarchical nanostructures show a good response to toxic chlorophenol at 280 degrees C.