A new route for preparing corundum-type In2O3 nanorods used as gas-sensing materials

Corundum-type In2O3 nanorods were synthesized under ambient pressure by annealing, at 600 degrees C, orthorhombic InOOH nanorods obtained by solvothermal reaction. The samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), and their gas sensitivities were obtained. The results of XRD and TEM experiments show that solvent and surfactants have significant effects on the formation and morphology of the metastable phase during the synthesis of the precursor. The gas-sensitivity results show that hexagonal In2O3 nanorods are very sensitive to dilute ethanol and H2S.