Candy-like heterojunction nanocomposite of WO3/Fe2O3-based semiconductor gas sensor for the detection of triethylamine

A highly efficient gas sensor for the detection of triethylamine based on candy-like WO3/Fe2O3 nanocomposite was prepared. The control of morphology and sensing performance of n-n heterojunction WO3/Fe2O3 nanocomposites were successfully achieved by the modulation of Fe element content. When the ratio of Fe to W is 0.4, the candy-like nanocomposite of WO3/Fe2O3 with great performance is obtained. It is interesting that the candy-like nanocomposite of WO3/Fe2O3 with a large specific surface area exhibits better selectivity and sensitivity for sensing TEA gases at a lower operating temperature (260 & DEG;C) compared with the gas sensor prepared by using WO3 alone. To verify the feasibility, the sensing mechanism was investigated and real sample tests were conducted and discussed. Finally, a TEA gas sensor with low limit of detection, short response/recovery time (15/162 s), and high sensitivity was developed. In addition, the prepared gas sensor has satisfactory stability and selectivity and has practical application value.

Automated summary

A candy-like WO3/Fe2O3 nanocomposite with excellent performance was prepared by modifying the content of Fe element in the n-n heterojunction WO3/Fe2O3 nanocomposites. The candy-like nanocomposite exhibited better selectivity and sensitivity for sensing triethylamine gases at a lower operating temperature (260 °C) compared with the gas sensor prepared with WO3 alone. The feasibility was verified through investigation of the sensing mechanism and real sample tests. A TEA gas sensor with low limit of detection, short response/recovery time (15/162 s), and high sensitivity was successfully developed, demonstrating good stability, selectivity, and practical application value.