One-step synthesis and the enhanced xylene-sensing properties of Fe-doped MoO3 nanobelts

Abstract

Pure and Fe-doped MoO₃ nanobelts were synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal method and their xylene-sensing properties were investigated. Different Fe-doping contents were introduced into MoO₃ nanobelts to study their effect on morphology and xylene sensitivity. With an increase in Fe-doping content, the width of the MoO₃ nanobelts became larger and excess Fe-doping even made the nanobelts start to turn into nanosheets. For xylene detection, Fe-doping content also had an effect on the performance of MoO₃ nanobelts and a proper Fe-doping content could effectively enhance their sensitivity to xylene, such as higher response and better selectivity than the pure MoO₃ nanobelts. In addition, the enhanced xylene-sensing properties induced by Fe-doping are also discussed.