Metal Oxide Nanowires Grown by a Vapor-Liquid-Solid Growth Mechanism for Resistive Gas-Sensing Applications: An Overview

Metal oxide nanowires (NWs) with a high surface area, ease of fabrication, and precise control over diameter and chemical composition are among the best candidates for the realization of resistive gas sensors. Among the different techniques used for the synthesis of materials with NW morphology, approaches based on the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism are very popular due to the ease of synthesis, low price of starting materials, and possibility of branching. In this review article, we discuss the gas-sensing features of metal oxide NWs grown by the VLS mechanism, with emphasis on the growth conditions and sensing mechanism. The growth and sensing performance of SnO2, ZnO, In2O3, NiO, CuO, and WO3 materials with NW morphology are discussed. The effects of the catalyst type, growth temperature, and other variables on the morphology and gas-sensing performance of NWs are discussed.

Automated summary

Metal oxide nanowires grown by the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism are among the best candidates for resistive gas sensors. This review article discusses the gas-sensing features of these nanowires, focusing on growth conditions and sensing mechanism. The growth and sensing performance of various metal oxide materials with nanowire morphology are discussed, along with the effects of catalyst type, growth temperature, and other variables on the nanowires.