Synthesis of mesoporous In2O3 nanocubes and their superior trimethylamine sensing properties

Mesoporous In2O3 nanocubes were successfully synthesized via a facile and low-cost hydrothermal method. Their morphology and structure were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N2 adsorption-desorption analyses. The results reveal that mesoporous In2O3 nanocubes with a size range of 30-60 nm, possess plenty of pores, and average pore size is about 5 nm. It is important that the In2O3 nanocubes with mesoporous structure have large specific surface area, which leads to higher response to trimethylamine (TMA). The response value to 10 ppm TMA is 57 at an operating temperature of 160 °C, and the response and recovery time are 4 and 11 s, respectively. It is expected that the mesoporous In2O3 nanocubes with large specific surface area and excellent sensing properties will become a promising functional material in monitoring and detecting TMA.