Room Temperature Methane (CH4) Sensing by Vanadium Oxide (VOx) Nanoparticles

Vanadium (VOx) nanoparticles (NPs) prepared by hydrothermal microwave method have been characterized and tested for methane (CH4) detection. The particles structures composed of sphere-like mixed crystalline and amorphous grains with an average diameter of <= 100 nm. High BET surface area of 67 m(2)g(-1) and nano porous property of 16 nm was observed. Room temperature sensing of CH4 gas by VOx NPs was achieved with optimal responsivity as oppose to the performance of other fundamental metal-oxide materials. The sensor response profile follows the underlying mechanism between VOx and CH4.