Enhanced acetone gas sensing performance of the multiple-networked Fe2O3-functionalized In2O3 nanowire sensor

In₂O₃ nanowires functionalized with Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were synthesized by the thermal evaporation of In₂S₃ powders in an oxidizing atmosphere followed by the solvothermal deposition of Fe₂O₃ and their acetone gas sensing properties were examined. The pristine and Fe₂O₃-functionalized In₂O₃ nanowires exhibited responses of 141–390% and 298–960%, respectively, to 10–500 ppm acetone at 200 °C. The Fe₂O₃-functionalized In₂O₃ nanowire sensor showed stronger electrical response to acetone gas at 200 °C than the pristine In₂O₃ nanowire counterpart. The former showed more rapid response but slower recovery than the latter. Both the pristine and Fe₂O₃-functionalized In₂O₃ nanowire sensors showed the strongest response to acetone gas at 200 °C. The underlying mechanism for the enhanced sensing performance of the Fe₂O₃-functionalized In₂O₃ nanowire sensor towards acetone gas is discussed.