Synthesis of In2O3 nanoparticle/TiO2 nanobelt heterostructures for near room temperature ethanol sensing

Abstract

In₂O₃ nanoparticle/TiO₂ nanobelt heterostructures are prepared via a facile hydrothermal strategy. Plenty of smaller In₂O₃ nanoparticles are uniformly deposited onto the surface of TiO₂ nanobelts. Compared with pure TiO₂ nanobelts and In₂O₃ nanoparticles, the obtained In₂O₃ nanoparticle/TiO₂ nanobelt heterostructures exhibit enhanced ethanol sensing properties at a temperature as low as 45 °C and a low detection limit (1 ppm). The improved sensing properties are mainly attributed to the synergic effect of fast charge transfer of heterostructure and the formation of preferential adsorption sites by the small size of the In₂O₃ nanoparticles.