Ethanol Sensing of SnO2-WO3 Core/Shell Nanowires

SnO2-WO3 core/shell nanowires were synthesized by the thermal evaporation of Sn powders in an oxidizing ambient followed by the thermal evaporation of WO3 powders. Their C2H5OH gas sensing properties were then examined. The C2H5OH gas sensing properties were improved remarkably by formation of the SnO2-WO3 heterostructures. The SnO2-WO3 core/shell nanowire sensors showed a much stronger and faster response to C2H5OH gas than the pristine SnO2 nanowire sensors. The enhanced sensing performance of the SnO2-WO3 core/shell nanowires towards C2H5OH gas can be accounted for by the potential barrier-controlled carrier-transport mechanism combined with the surface-depletion mechanism.