Architecture tailoring of MoO₃ nanostructures for superior ethanol sensing performance

Alteration of the architecture of molybdenum oxide nanostructure from nanobelts to nanofibers has been achieved by applying frequency-dependent pulsed temperature during hydrothermal growth. The nanostructures was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction pattern and N₂ adsorption-desorption analyses. The results revealed that MoO₃ nanofibers had better crystalline properties, higher surface area and surface defects as compare to MoO₃ nanobelts. The MoO₃ nanofibers were used to sense volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOC sensing studies revealed that sensor using MoO₃ nanofibers offered a drastically enhanced response as compared to that with MoO₃ nanobelts. The superior sensing performance of the MoO₃ nanofiber sensor is attributed to the increase of surface area and surface defect sites in MoO₃ nanofibers.