Morphology-controllable synthesis, characterization and sensing properties of single-crystal molybdenum trioxide

Different morphologies of single-crystal molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) were successfully synthesized by a novel, facile and low cost method using cotton as biotemplate. The morphology and structure of crystals were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Gas sensors have been fabricated using MoO3 samples to examine the response to ethanol gas. The effects of cotton biotemplate and calcination condition, as well as morphologies obtained by different synthesized methods on ethanol sensing property were investigated. It is found that the sensor based on MoO3 hollow microtubules calcined at 300 °C showed highly sensitive to ethanol with fast response, good selectivity and stability, indicating its potential applications for environment and food or the drinking status of drivers.