Rapid and sensitive ethanol sensor based on hollow Au/V2O5 nanotubes via emulsion-electrospinning route

• Hollow ceramic (V2O5 and Au/V2O5) nanotubes have been successfully achieved.
• The as-prepared nanotubes exhibited rapid response/recovery behaviors and good sensing response against ethanol.
• Enhanced key gas sensing property meet basic needs for practical applications.

Hollow electrospun V2O5 and Au/V2O5 nanotubes have been successfully synthesized by combining emulsion electrospinning (EE) and post calcination treatment. Immiscible polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)/metal salts/dimethylformamide (DMF) solution and polystyrene (PS)/DMF solution are chosen for the EE to form PS@(PVP/metal salts) core-sheath nanofibers, in which PS nanorods were formed and encapsulated within in the PVP/metal salts nanofibers owing to the stretching forces and de-emulsified force during the electrospinning. Excellent sensitivity and rapid response–recovery behaviors against ethanol have been successfully achieved based on our hollow ceramic (V2O5 and Au/V2O5) nanotubes.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide