Au modified Nd-doped In2O3 hollow microspheres for high performance triethylamine gas sensor

The Au-modified Nd-doped In2O3 hollow microspheres were prepared by hydrothermal method as well as UV irradiation reduction. Their microstructure and phase structure were characterized by SEM, TEM and XRD. The effect of Nd3+ doping and Au loading were discussed based on the results of XPS, UV–vis, BET. The gas-sensitive measurement reveal the In2O3 loaded with 2 wt% Au and doped with 3 mol% Nd3+ (2 wt% Au/3 mol% Nd–In2O3) exhibited the optimal sensing performance among Au-modified Nd-doped In2O3 nanocomposites. Compared with unmodified In2O3, its sensing properties are improved. The response to 100 ppm triethylamine is 61, 4 times of pure In2O3, along with improved selectivity, declined optimum operation temperature, reduced recovery time and good stability. Using Nd–In2O3 and Au/In2O3 as control samples, the synergetic roles of Nd doping and Au loading in sensing process were discussed. By the cooperation of Nd and Au, more oxygen vacancies, raised electric resistance and increased specific surface area are triggered, which improve the gas-sensitive performance of the sensor. The excellent sensing performance of Au-modified Nd-doped In2O3 nanocomposites makes it a potential sensing material for triethylamine detection.