Porous cobalt oxide nanowires: Notable improved gas sensing performances

Abstract

The porous Co3O4 nanowires have been successfully synthesized via modified template method. A possible growth mechanism governing the formation of such 1D nanowires is proposed. The as-prepared products have been characterized by X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), Extended X-ray Absorption Fine-structure (EXAFS), High-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and N2 adsorption/desorption analysis. Our systematic studies have revealed that the porous Co3O4 nanowires show excellent gas sensing performances, which demonstrate the potential application of the 1D nanostructured Co3O4 in the detection of the ethanol gas as a sensor material. The improved performances are owing to its large specific surface area and porous morphology. © 2012 The Author(s).