Tunable chemical activity and selectivity of CuWO4/WO3 heterojunction for gas sensing applications

Heterostructures are known for their enhanced electron mobility and adjustable activity, providing effective strategies to modulate selectivity and sensing property in gas sensing applications. In this study, CuWO 4 /WO 3 nanoflowers are synthesized by a hydrothermal method, incorporating CuWO 4 nanoparticles. The recognition capability of WO 3 nanoflowers is tailored from NO 2 to H 2 S by precisely adjusting the loading amount of CuWO 4 nanoparticles. This transformation is attributed to the heterojunction formation by CuWO 4 /WO 3 composite, regulating the gas adsorption types and chemical reactions occurring on the materials’ surface. Potential mechanisms governing gas sensing via electron transport are elucidated by a comprehensive characterization of materials using SEM, HRTEM, XPS, and UPS.