Fabrication and highly sensitive gas sensors based on h-MoO3/SnO2 hollow nanostructures operated at low temperatures

Simulated by the synthesis of one dimensional hollow nanostructures with significant sensing, electrical, and optical properties, we have successfully synthesized 1D hollow nanostructures of h-MoO3/SnO2 with well-defined multi-side walls. These hollow nanostructured materials synthesized via a hydrothermal method with SnCl2.2H2O as the precursor and h-MoO3 as the template. SnO2 nanoparticles grew on the surface of h-MoO3 with preferential direction [001]. The morphological change was observed with variation of the growth conditions, such as HNO3, and h-MoO3 concentration. 1D hollow nanostructures of h-MoO3/SnO2 were studied and their growth mechanism was discussed. The result revealed that the existence of h-MoO3 caused to increase the sensor response to ethanol gas and downshift the sensor operating temperature at low temperatures.