Facile synthesis of mesoporous Co3O4 nanofans as gas sensing materials for selective detection of xylene vapor

The mesoporous Co3O4 with shape of fans has been successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal approach from cobalt nitrate, urea, gelation and subsequent calcination process. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nitrogen adsorption/ desorption analysis are characterized to demonstrate the crystal structure, morphology, and microstructure of Co3O4 nanofans (Co3O4 NFs). When applied as a gas sensing material, the sensitivity of as-prepared Co3O4 is obviously higher than the Co3O4 nanosheets (Co3O4 NSs).The well gas sensing performances to xylene properties make this mesoporous fan-like Co3O4 be a good candidate for xylene sensors.