Morphology-controllable synthesis of hierarchical hollow GaFeO3 microcubes with selective triethylamine gas-sensing properties

Abstract

Hierarchical multi-metal oxide-based gas sensors with high surface area and abundant active sites have attracted intensely research interests for their highly sensitive and fast gas detection performance. Developing synthetic strategies for obtaining novel hierarchical metal oxides with high sensing performance remains eminently challenging. Herein, hierarchial hollow GaFeO3 microcubes were successfully prepared via a Ga3+-modified Fe-based Prussian Blue (PB) mediated template conversion strategy. The microsized morphologies and hollow interior structures of GaFeO3 microcubes can be feasibly modulated by controlling the thermolysis temperatures. The ultrasmall nanoparticle-assembly of GaFeO3 architecture obtained at 500 °C exhibited an optimum response value (Ra/Rg) of 7.4, and rapid response/recovery times (9 s/49 s) toward 200 ppm triethylamine (TEA) at a working temperature of 200 °C, as well as remarkable selectivity and excellent long-term stability (for at least 31 days), which are intrinsically beneficial from the unique interior loose structure with good permeability for diffusion of target gases. This work provides a promising approach for synthesizing various hierarchical multimetal oxides with intriguing nanoparticle-assembled hollow structure and broad prospects for practical gas sensing applications.