WO3 mono-nanocrystals: Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of their electrical behavior in oxygen and acetone atmospheres

WO3 nanoparticles were synthesized using the modified polymer complex method. The synthesized powders were characterized using infrared and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopies. Results revealed the synthesized WO3 particles are monocrystalline, with a monoclinic structure (space group P21/c) and a size of 30 nm, a gap of 2.8 eV with structural defects promoting gas sensing. Using these powders, ceramic pieces were formed by the slip casting method and the sintered pieces evaluated for their electrical behavior in the presence of oxygen and acetone vapors. The favorable ability of WO3 to sense these gases and its potential use by way of acetone sensing in the diagnosis of diseases such as diabetes mellitus were reiterated in light of the results obtained in this trial.