Template-assisted synthesis of hierarchical MoO3 microboxes and their high gas-sensing performance

Hierarchical MoO 3 microboxes were successfully prepared via a facile hydrothermal method and use MnCO 3 microcubes as the templates. The morphology and structure of as-obtained product were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurement (BET). The results show that hierarchical MoO 3 microboxes possess regular size and morphology, and the size is about 2–3   μm, the hierarchical shell of MoO 3 microboxes with a thickness of about 150   nm. The response value of sensor based on hierarchical MoO 3 microboxes to 100   ppm ethanol is 78 at an operating temperature of 260   °C, and the response and recovery time are less than 15 and 5   s, respectively. It is expected that the hierarchical MoO 3 microboxes with the advantages of hierarchical structure and hollow structure will become a promising functional material in monitoring and detecting of ethanol.