Molecular based, chimie douce approach to 0D and 1D indium oxidenanostructures. Evaluation of their sensing properties towards CO and H2

Abstract

The synthesis of a new molecular In(III) precursor complex, the generation of nanoscaled In₂O₃ (bixybyte structure) in 0D and 1D morphology, and the sensoric behavior of the 0D and 1D In₂O₃ nanostructures towards reducing gas atmospheres is studied. The indium precursor complex can be converted to a ceramic green body under mild reaction temperatures (160 °C), followed by conversion into crystalline indiumoxide at higher temperatures (350 °C). Geometric confinement by endotemplating of the molecular In precursor in track-etched polycarbonate templates yields polycrystalline indium oxide nanotubes in high yields. Controlled conversion of the molecular precursor without geometric confinement gives nanoparticulate crystalline In₂O₃. Both morphologically different In₂O₃ nanomaterials are sensitive to reducing gas conditions, however they show distinct differences towards reducing H₂ and CO gas atmospheres.