The gas-sensing and structure properties of Fe-doped In2O3 nanotubes by electrospinning technique

Fe-doped In2O3 nanotubes were successfully synthesized by electrospinning technique followed by subsequent heat treatment. The as-prepared samples appeared as an apparently open-end one-dimensional (1D) and tubular-like morphology with the diameter of approximately 150 nm and the wall thickness about 20 nm. The diffraction peak of the obtained nanotubes shifts toward bigger angle direction with the increase of the Fe content. Comparing to the In2O3 nanotubes, the Fe-doped In2O3 nanotubes exhibit better sensing characteristics toward ethanol gases, including higher sensing response, lower operating temperature and higher selectivity. Enhanced sensing properties are attributed to 1D hollow nanostructures and the role of doping Fe element.