Ethanol sensing properties of LaCoxFe1−xO3 nanoparticles: Effects of calcination temperature, Co-doping, and carbon nanotube-treatment

LaCoxFe1−xO3 nanoparticles (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) are prepared by a sol–gel method, and the effects of calcination temperature, Co-doping, and carbon nanotube (CNT)-treatment on their ethanol sensing properties are investigated. The highest response is found based on the LaCo0.1Fe0.9O3 nanoparticles calcined at 600 °C, and the sensing properties of this sample can be further improved by adding CNT in the precursor. The responses of un-treated and CNT-treated LaCo0.1Fe0.9O3 nanoparticles are about 120.1 and 137.3–500 ppm ethanol at 140 °C, respectively. Simultaneously, by CNT -treatment, the response time is decreased from 56 to 10 s, and the recovery time is decreased from 95 to 35 s. The results not only make LaCo0.1Fe0.9O3 nanoparticles good candidates for fabricating practical gas sensors, but also provide a possible route for employing CNTs as a pore-forming agent.