Highly stable and selective ethanol sensor based on α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles prepared by Pechini sol-gel method

In the present work, alpha-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by Pechini sol-gel (PSG) method following annealing at 550 degrees C. The morphology and microstructure of the prepared alpha-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman analysis. The electrical and sensing properties were also investigated. The alpha-Fe2O3 based sensor showed good sensitivity and selectivity towards ethanol at the optimal temperature of 225 degrees C. Moreover, the sensor displayed good electrical and sensing stability. These results suggest the potential applications of alpha-Fe2O3 synthesized by Pechini sol-gel method as a sensor material for ethanol detection. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.