Novel Co3O4 nanocrystalline chain material as a high performance gas sensor at room temperature

作者:Zhang, Xinci; Wang, Jun; Xuan, Lichun*; Zhu, Zhibiao; Pan, Qingjiang; Shi, Keying; Zhang, Guo*
来源:Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2018, 768: 190-197.
DOI:10.1016/j.jallcom.2018.07.240

摘要

In this study, a chain structure consisting of single crystal Co3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by a one-step thermal treatment method. The microstructure and morphology of the samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, TEM, XPS and EIS. It is found that Co3O4 materials display chain structure and feature 70 nm particles in the diameter size. Interestingly, the chain structure feature of our Co3O4 materials improves electrode conductivity and carrier transportation with respect to polycrystal Co3O4. When calcined at 550 degrees C (Co3O4-550), the resulting sample displays good gas sensing performance for NOx at room temperature. Its measured gas sensitive response is 52.1% for 100 ppm NOx, and detection limit is lower than 100 ppb. The outstanding NOx gas sensing performance of the Co3O4-550 may be attributed to its unique chain structure. Tightly stucking particles and lower potential barrier are very beneficial to improve electrical properties of Co3O4-550, which is helpful to enhance its gas sensing performance.