Porous In2O3 nanocuboids modified with Pd nanoparticles for chemical sensors

Porous In2O3 nanocuboids were synthesized successfully on a large scale and characterized with XRD, TG-DTA, BET, FESEM and TEM. The precursors - In(OH)3 nanocuboids, which were first produced in the nanoreactors consisting of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) surfactant and In3+ ions, can transform topotactically to form porous In2O3 nanocuboids, after annealed at 300 °C. The gas sensing performances of the materials were also investigated before and after modified with Pd nanoparticles. The chemical sensors made with Pd@In2O3 nanocuboids exhibit enhanced performances in detecting reducing gases such as acetone, compared to those fabricated with pure porous In2O3 nanocuboids.