Synthesis of metal and metal oxide nanostructures and their application for gas sensing

► A method has been developed to synthesize metal and metal oxide nanostructures in high yields on the surface of SiO2/Si substrate. The capability for growth of nanomaterials by simple manner makes the present method attractive for a creation of new nanostructures for various nanoscale device applications. ► Spherical gold nanoparticles with a size of 15 nm and nanowires with a diameter of 70 nm were synthesized. SnO2 rough microwires, smooth nanowires, and nanoknives were synthesized by using Sn granules, SnO powder, and SnO2 powder as source materials, respectively. ► Nanocomposite gas sensors on the base of noble metal (Au) and metal oxide were fabricated. The results demonstrated that gold doping improved the sensor response to NO2 gas.