Bismuth molybdate (α-Bi2Mo3O12) nanoplates via facile hydrothermal and its gas sensing study

Herein, we report a facile synthesis of bismuth molybdate (alpha-Bi2Mo3O12) nanoplates (NPs) via hydrothermal route and studied its gas sensing performance. The developed alpha-Bi2Mo3O12 was analyzed by various technique for structural and morphological studies. XRD analysis showed the monoclinic crystal structure of a phase of Bi2Mo3O12 with crystalline size 40 nm. The morphological features were studied using FE-SEM and FE-TEM, showed Bi2Mo3O12 nanoplates of thickness 20-25 nm and also showed the signs of variation with different hydrothermal reaction time. The chemical composition and their states were studied by XPS and EDAX analysis. The material was examined for gas sensing proficiency towards various reducing gases (acetone, ethanol, propanol, xylene, trimethylamine). Bi2Mo3O12 NPs corroborate good selectivity (78%) towards ethanol at an optimum operating temperature 325 degrees C with the response and recovery time, 1'54s and 8'30s, respectively. Furthermore, the sensor showed better reproducibility and stability in response to consecutive exposure of ethanol. The alpha-Bi2Mo3O12 has two acidic sites and one basic site, which excel the interactions and are responsible for better gas sensing performance.