The growth of urchin-like Co3O4 directly on sensor substrate and its gas sensing properties

Urchin-like Co3O4 has successfully grown directly on ITO glass and sensor ceramic substrate through hydrothermal reaction followed by calcination. The combined characterizations of X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, nitrogen adsorption-desorption and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicate that the as-prepared product possesses good crystallinity, large specific surface area and urchin-like morphology which is greatly influenced by the reaction additives. The sensor with urchin-like Co3O4 growing directly on ceramic sensor tube exhibits higher response sensitivity than the sensors fabricated with other morphological Co3O4 or by traditional coating method.