Shape-controlled synthesis of porous screw-cap-like indium tin oxide and its application for gas sensing

A novel screw-cap-like indium tin oxide (ITO) precursor and the corresponding porous ITO particle are successfully achieved by a facile shape-controlled synthesis at room temperature. The screw-cap-like ITO precursors show a unique hexagonal structure with a hole in the center, which may stem from self-assembly of precursor nanosheets and following chemical etching. The corresponding porous screw-cap-like ITO, composed of loose packed ITO nanoparticles, shows excellent gas sensing properties toward NO2 and H2S, which gives the material potential applications in detecting hazardous gases.