Fe2TiO5/α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite hollow spheres with enhanced gas-sensing properties

Hollow spheres of Fe2TiO5/α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite were prepared via a simple impregnating method using carbonaceous polysaccharide microspheres as hard templates. These hollow spheres possessed porous shells contributed by homogeneously arranged α-Fe2O3 and Fe2TiO5 nanocrystals. With the higher specific-surface area provided by the porous spherical shells and lower grain boundary resistant between α-Fe2O3 and Fe2TiO5, these hollow spheres showed much improved gas-sensing properties for some organic gases. A sample with a Fe2TiO5/α-Fe2O3 ratio of about 1:1 showed the optimum gas-sensing value.