Preparation of mesoporous In2O3 nanorods via a hydrothermal-annealing method and their gas sensing properties

► Mesoporous In2O3 was prepared via a facile hydrothermal-annealing method. ► The mesoporous In2O3 sample has the morphology of uniform cylindrical nanorods. ► The BET surface area of the sample reaches 103.1 m2/g. ► Mesoporous In2O3 nanorods possess satisfactory response to dilute ethanol vapor.