Synthesis of Pt nanoparticles functionalized WO3 nanorods and their gas sensing properties

A novel sensor material of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized WO3 hybrid nanorods was fabricated via a one-pot method. The obtained Pt NPs decorated WO3 nanorods (Pt-WO3) were analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A comparative gas sensing study was carried out on both the Pt NPs decorated and undecorated WO3 nanorods in order to investigate the influence of Pt NPs on the gas sensing performances. Obtained results showed that the Pt-WO3 sensor exhibited fast response and recovery as well as high sensitivity compared with the undecorated sensor. The improved sensing properties were attributed to the spillover effect of Pt NPs and the electronic metal-support interaction. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.