Self-template derived CuO nanowires assembled microspheres and its gas sensing properties

Development of high-performance p-type semiconductor gas sensors especially the fast response/recovery speed and high response based on inexpensive non-noble metal oxides without doping or noble metal decoration for the practical applications of gas sensor are highly desirable. In this work, the rapid room-temperature synthesis of innovative and unique parallel copper oxide nanowires assembled microspheres (CuO NMs) with excellent gas sensing property is reported. The morphological characteristics, surface area, porosity, chemical composition and the chemical conversion process are studied carefully. As a result, the CuO NMs exhibit a relatively high gas response, especially the fast response and recovery time to 100 ppm n-propanol vapor at relatively low operating temperature of 190 °C, respectively. This new rapid self-template derived functional nanomaterials will offer a promising platform for highly sensitive and real-time monitoring p-type gas sensors.