Enhanced acetone gas sensing performance of the multiple-networked Fe2O3-functionalized In2O3 nanowire sensor

• In2O3 nanowires functionalized with Fe2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized.
• The Fe2O3-functionalized In2O3 nanowire sensor showed stronger response to acetone than the pristine In2O3 nanowire sensor.
• The former showed more rapid response but slower recovery than the latter.
• The underlying mechanism for the enhanced sensing performance of the former is discussed.

In2O3 nanowires functionalized with Fe2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized by the thermal evaporation of In2S3 powders in an oxidizing atmosphere followed by the solvothermal deposition of Fe2O3 and their acetone gas sensing properties were examined. The pristine and Fe2O3-functionalized In2O3 nanowires exhibited responses of 141–390% and 298–960%, respectively, to 10–500 ppm acetone at 200 °C. The Fe2O3-functionalized In2O3 nanowire sensor showed stronger electrical response to acetone gas at 200 °C than the pristine In2O3 nanowire counterpart. The former showed more rapid response but slower recovery than the latter. Both the pristine and Fe2O3-functionalized In2O3 nanowire sensors showed the strongest response to acetone gas at 200 °C. The underlying mechanism for the enhanced sensing performance of the Fe2O3-functionalized In2O3 nanowire sensor towards acetone gas is discussed.