Abstract
To develop a low cost and scalable gas, sensor for the detection of toxic and flammable gases with fast response and high sensitivity is extremely important for monitoring environmental pollution. This work reports a facile method for preparing pseudo-cubic hierarchical α-Fe2O3 nanostructured materials as well as their implementation in gas sensor application. The α-Fe2O3 is developed using Fe(NO3)3 and ethylene glycol followed by a facile and one-step solvo-thermal reaction without subsequent heat treatment. The pseudo-cubic nanostructures were having an average edge length of 5–10 nm. The solvent played the role of ligand and synergistically affected olation and oxolation process along with dehydration to form final product. The sensor performance of α-Fe2O3 in the detection of toxic and flammable gases such as formaldehyde (HCHO), ethanol (C2H5OH), and carbon monoxide (CO) was evaluated. As-synthesized nanostructured hematite showed better sensing performance towards formaldehyde. The fabricated gas sensor showed temperature sensitivity sensing performance for the same gas. In addition, ethanol, formaldehyde vapours, and carbon monoxide gas-sensing properties were tested and the sensing performance of the synthesized material was found to be in the order of HCHO > C2H5OH > CO. This sensing performance is attributed to the large specific surface area of the pseudo-cubic nanoparticles.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Zhang L, Hu J, Song P, Qin H, Liu X, Jiang M (2005) Formaldehyde-sensing characteristics of perovskite La0.68Pb0.32FeO3 nano-materials. Phys B 370:259–263
Achmann S, Hammerle M, Moos R (2008) Amperometric enzyme-based gas sensor for formaldehyde: impact of possible interferences. Sensors 8:1351–1365
Golden R (2011) Identifying an indoor air exposure limit for formaldehyde considering both irritation and cancer hazards. Crit Rev Toxicol 41:672–721
Xue X, Nie Y, He B, Xing L, Zhang Y, Wang ZL (2013) Surface free-carrier screening effect on the output of a ZnO nanowire nano generator and its potential as a self-powered active gas sensor. Nanotechnology 24:225501–225506
Comini E, Faglia G, Ferroni M, Sberveglieri G (2007) Gas sensing properties of zinc oxide nanostructures prepared by thermal evaporation. Appl Phys A 88:45–48
Tripathy SK, Mishra A, Jha SK, Wahab R, Al-Khedhairy AA (2013) Microwave assisted hydrothermal synthesis of mesoporous SnO2 nanoparticles for ethanol sensing and degradation. J Mater Sci 24:2082–2090
Jiang LY, Wu XL, Guo Y, Wan LJ (2009) SnO2-Based hierarchical nanomicrostructures: facile synthesis and their applications in gas sensors and lithium-ion batteries. J Phys Chem C 113:14213–14219
Radecka M, Jasiski M, Kafel JK, Rekas M, Yso B, Czapla A, Lubecka M, Sokoowski M, Zakrzewska K, Heel A, Graule TJ (2010) TiO2-based nano powders for gas sensor. Ceram Mater 62:545–549
Wang CX, Yin L, Zhang L, Qi Y, Lun N, Liu N (2010) Large scale synthesis and gas-sensing properties of anatase TiO2 three-dimensional hierarchical nanostructures. Langmuir 26:12841–12848
Yang Y, Ma H, Zhuang J, Wang X (2011) Morphology-controlled synthesis of hematite nanocrystals and their facet effects on gas-sensing properties. Inorg Chem 50:10143–10151
Wu XL, Guo Y, Wan LJ, Hu CW (2008) α-Fe2O3 nanostructures: inorganic salt-controlled synthesis and their electrochemical performance toward lithium storage. J Phys Chem C 112:16824–16829
Sun B, Horvat J, Kim HS, Kim WS, Ahn J, Wang G (2010) Synthesis of mesoporous γ-Fe2O3 nanostructures for highly sensitive gas sensors and high capacity anode materials in lithium ion batteries. J Phys Chem C 114:18753–18761
Liu X, Zhang J, Guo X, Wu S, Wang S (2010) Porous α-Fe2O3 decorated by Au nanoparticles and their enhanced sensor performance. Nanotechnology 21:095501
Mao D, Yao J, Lai X, Yang M, Du J, Wang D (2011) Hierarchically mesoporous hematite microspheres and their enhanced formaldehyde-sensing properties. Small 7:578–582
Chen YJ, Zhu CL, Wang LJ, Gao P, Cao MS, Shi XL (2009) Synthesis and enhanced ethanol sensing characteristics of alpha-Fe2O3/SnO2 core-shell nanorods. Nanotechnology 20:045502
Neri G, Bonavita A, Rizzo G, Galvagno S, Donato N, Caputi LS (2004) A study of water influence on CO response on gold-doped iron oxide sensors. Sens Actuators B 101:90–96
He F, Han J, Zheng Y, Yu H, Wang Y (1994) Structural formula and gas-sensitive properties of α-Fe2O3(SO4 −). J Appl Phys 33:2626
Zhang F, Yang H, Xie X, Li L, Zhang L, Yu J, Zhao H, Liu B (2009) Controlled synthesis and gas-sensing properties of hollow sea urchin-like α-Fe2O3 nanostructures and α-Fe2O3 nanocubes. Sens Actuators B 141:381–389
Ma J, Teo J, Mei L (2012) Porous plate like hematite mesocrystals: synthesis, catalytic and gas-sensing applications. J Mater Chem 22:11694–11700
Wu Z, Yu K, Zhang S, Xie Y (2008) Hematite hollow spheres with a mesoporous shell: controlled synthesis and applications in gas sensor and lithium ion batteries. J Phys Chem C 112:11307–11313
Li S, Qin G, Meng X, Ren Y, Zuo L (2013) Chemical synthesis of faceted α-Fe2O3 single-crystalline nanoparticles and their photocatalytic activity. J Mater Sci 48:5744–5749. doi:10.1007/s10853-013-7366-x
Almeida TP, Fay MW, Zhu Y, Brown PD (2012) Prospects for the incorporation of cobalt into α-Fe2O3 nanorods during hydrothermal synthesis. J Mater Sci 47:5546–5560. doi:10.1007/s10853-012-6448-5
Wheeler DA, Wang GA, Ling Y, Li Y, Zhang JZ (2012) Nanostructured hematite: synthesis, characterization, charge carrier dynamics, and photo electrochemical properties. Energy Environ Sci 5:6682–6700
Zhu W, Cui X, Zhang XL, Huang JQ, Piao X, Zhang Q (2013) Hydrothermal evolution, optical and electrochemical properties of hierarchical porous hematite nanoarchitectures. Nanoscale Res Lett 8(1):2
Dong Q, Kumada N, Yonesaki Y, Takei T, Kinomura N, Wang D (2010) Template-free hydrothermal synthesis of hallow hematite microspheres. J Mater Sci 45:5685–5691. doi:10.1007/s10853-010-4634-x
Zhu W, Cui X, Wang L, Liu T, Zhang Q (2011) Monodisperse porous pod-like hematite: hydrothermal formation, optical absorbance, and magnetic properties. Mater Lett 65:1003–1006
Gao G, Zhang Q, Wang K, Song H, Qiu P, Cu D (2013) Axial compressive α-Fe2O3 microdisks prepared from CSS template for potential anode materials of lithium ion batteries. Nano Energy 2:1010–1018
Tao Y, Gao Q, Di J, Wu X (2013) Gas sensors based on α-Fe2O3 nanorods, nanotubes and nanocubes. J Nanosci Nanotechnol 13:5654–5660
Zhong LS, Hu JS, Liang HP, Cao AM, Song WG, Wan LJ (2006) Self-assembled 3D flowerlike iron oxide nanostructures and their application in water treatment. Adv Mater 18:2426–2431
Al-Kadya AS, Gabera M, Husseinb MM, Ebeid EZM (2011) Structural and fluorescence quenching characterization of hematite nanoparticles. Spec Chim Acta A 83:398–405
Jia Y, Luo T, Yu X-Y, Sun B, Liu J-H, Huang X-J (2013) Synthesis of monodispersed α-FeOOH nanorods with a high content of surface hydroxyl groups and enhanced ion-exchange properties towards. RSC Adv. 3:15805–15811
Bersani D, Lottici PP, Montenero (1999) A micro-Raman investigation of iron oxide films and powders produced by sol–gel syntheses. J Raman Spectrosc 30:355–360
Fang XL, Chen C, Jin MS, Kuang Q, Xie ZX, Xie SY, Huang RB (2009) Single-crystal-like hematite colloidal nanocrystal clusters: synthesis and applications in gas sensors, photocatalysis and water treatment. J Mater Chem 19:6154–6160
Wu CZ, Yin P, Zhu X, Yang CO, Xie Y (2006) Synthesis of hematite (γ-Fe2O3) nanorods: diameter-size and shape effects on their applications in magnetism, lithium ion battery and gas sensors. J Phys Chem B 110:17806–17812
Zhong JU, Cao C, Liu Y, Li Y, Khan WS (2008) Hollow core–shell γ-Fe2O3 microspheres with excellent lithium-storage and gas-sensing properties. Chem Commun 46:3869–3871
Fei X, Sao ZZ, Chen X (2013) Hematite nanostructures synthesized by a silk fibroin-assisted hydrothermal method. J Mater Chem B 1:213–220
Carraro G, Barreca D, Comini E, Gasparotto A, Maccato C, Sadad C, Sberveglieri G (2012) Controlled synthesis and properties of β-Fe2O3 nanosystems functionalized with Ag or Pt nanoparticles. Cryst Eng Comm 14:6469–6476
Fujii T, de Groot FMF, Sawatzky GA (1999) In situ XPS analysis of various iron oxide films grown by NO2-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy. Phys Rev B 59:4
Ferretto L, Glisenti A (2002) Study of the surface acidity of an hematite powder. J Mol Cat A 187:119–128
Jin W, Dong B, Chen W, Zhao C, Mai L, Dai Y (2010) Synthesis and gas sensing properties of Fe2O3 nanoparticles activated V2O5 nanotubes. Sens Actuators B 145:211–215
Gou X, Wang G, Kong X, Wexler DJ, Horvat JY, Park J (2008) Flutelike porous hematite nanorods and branched nanostructures: synthesis, characterisation and application for gas-sensing. Chem Eur J 14:5996–6002
Gou X, Wang G, Park J, Liu H, Yang J (2008) Monodisperse hematite porous nanospheres: synthesis, characterization, and applications for gas sensors. Nanotechnology 19:125606–125612
Guimarães CS, Varandas LS, Arbilla G (2010) Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde concentrations in the idle and taxiway areas of an urban airport. J Braz Chem Soc 21:481–488
Huang J, Wan Q (2009) Gas sensors based on semiconducting metal oxide one-dimensional nanostructures. Sensors 9:9903–9924
Singh VN, Mehta BR, Joshi RK, Kruis FE (2007) Size-dependent gas sensing properties of indium oxide nanoparticle layers. J Nanosci Nanotechnol 7:1930–1934
Singh VN, Partheepan G (2013) Linear sensing response to ethanol by indium oxide nanoparticle layers. J Nanosci 540741:4
Sun P, Zhu Z, Zhao P, Liang X, Sun Y, Liu F, Lu G (2012) Gas sensing with hollow α-Fe2O3 urchin-like spheres prepared via template-free hydrothermal synthesis. Cryst Eng Comm 14:8335–8337
Chi X, Liu C, Liu L, Li S, Li H, Zhang X, Bo X, Shana H (2014) Enhanced formaldehyde-sensing properties of mixed Fe2O3–In2O3 nanotubes. Mater Sci Semicond Process 18:160–164
Huang L, Fan H (2012) Room temperature solid-state synthesis of ZnO/α-Fe2O3 hierarchical nano structures and their enhanced properties. Sens Actuators B 172:1257–1263
Acknowledgements
The Authors are very much thankful to Prof. B. K. Mishra Director, CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar and Dr I. N. Bhattacharya, HOD (Hydro and Electrometallurgy Department, CSIR-IMMT). DST INSPIRE Division, India is highly acknowledged by Rasmita Barik. The authors are also very grateful to Dr M. K. Ghosh, principal scientist, CSIR-IMMT and Mr Pradeep Ch. Rout, CSIR-SRF for their valuable suggestions.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Barik, R., Tripathy, S.K. & Mohapatra, M. Hierarchical pseudo-cubic hematite nanoparticle as formaldehyde sensor. J Mater Sci 49, 5345–5354 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-014-8237-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-014-8237-9