In_2O_3 nanofibers and nanoribbons: Preparation by electrospinning and their formaldehyde gas-sensing properties

摘要

In_2O_3 nanofibers and nanoribbons were prepared by electrospinning combined with a polyvinyl pyrrolidone)-assisted sol-gel technique. By tuning the experimental parameters, the morphological transformation of In_2O_3 from nanofibers to nanoribbons was achieved. It was found that both the rapid evaporation of solvent and the concentration of the precursor played important roles in the formation process of In_2O_3 nanoribbons. The average diameter of the In _2O_3 nanofibers is 180 nm. The nanoribbons have an average width of 1 μn and a thickness of about 150 nm. The lengths of both can reach millimeters. The average grain size consisting of nanofibers and nanoribbons is 18.6 and 11.2 nm, respectively. The gas-sensing properties of In _2O_3 nanofibers and nanoribbons toward formaldehyde vapor were investigated. Interestingly, the gas sensor fabricated with In _2O_3 nanoribbons exhibited a higher and faster response at a relatively lower operating temperature than that fabricated with nanofibers.