Hexagonal WO3 Films with Carbon Nanotubes for Sensing Applications

Abstract

In this work, nanocrystalline hexagonal tungsten oxide was prepared by acidic precipitation from sodium tungstate solution. TEM studies of nanopowders showed that the average size of the hexagonal nanoparticles is 30-50 nm. Novel nanocomposites were prepared by embedding a low amount of gold decorated carbon nanotubes into the hex-WO3 matrix. The addition of MWCNTs lowered the temperature range of sensitivity of hex-WO3 nanocomposites to NO2 hazardous gas. The sensitivity of hex - WO3 with Au-decorated MWCNTs to NO2 is at the temperature range between 25°C and 250°C.