Cubic-like In2O3/α-Fe2O3 heterostructures assembled with 2D porous nanoplates for superior triethylamine gas-sensing behavior

Cubic-like In2O3/α-Fe2O3 heterostructures assembled with 2D porous nanoplates have been prepared by solvothermal method and subsequent calcination process. The introduction of Fe3+ component plays an important role for the morphological evolution of In2O3-based samples with unique crystal nucleation and growth mechanism. Compared with flower-like In2O3 self-assemblies composed of tower-like structural units, In2O3/α-Fe2O3 composites can display superior trimethylamine (TEA) gas-sensing behavior. For example, the optimal working temperature is reduced from 250 to 170 °C, and the response value of In/Fe-2 materials is 375.43, which is about 6.23 times than that of In2O3 sensors. The enhanced gas-sensing properties are mainly attributed to large specific surface area (234.4 m2/g), the effective In2O3-α-Fe2O3 heterojunctions, unique surface/interface effects, and tunable electron transmission mechanism.