Metal oxide nanowire sensors with complex morphologies and compositions

Abstract

Metal oxide nanowire sensors with complex morphologies and compositions have shown promising properties due to their high surface-to-volume ratio and stable structures against agglomeration. In this chapter, a series of metal oxide nanostructures modified via surface coating, morphology variation, doping and appropriate energy band engineering have been investigated, and the sensing mechanism is discussed. By using nanostructures with complex morphologies and compositions in simple material synthesis routes, the structure of the sensitive material is modified, the electronic transport of the sensor is regulated and the sensing properties can be greatly improved, including enhancing the sensitivity and selectivity, lowering the working temperatures, reducing the response time and achieving long-term stability.