Hierarchical Fe3O4@Co3O4 core-shell microspheres: Preparation and acetone sensing properties

Hierarchical Fe3O4@Co3O4 core shell microspheres were prepared through a simple two-step hydrothermal method. The structure, morphology and surface characteristics of the microspheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The results showed that porous architectures were assembled from Fe3O4 sphere core and Co3O4 flower-like shells. The gas sensing investigations revealed that the Fe3O4@Co3O4 core shell microspheres sensors exhibited enhanced sensing properties to acetone compared with Fe3O4 microspheres and Co3O4 nano-materials, which might be attributed to the unique hierarchical structure and the synergetic effect exerted by Fe3O4 and Co3O4. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.