Polycrystalline NiO nanowires: scalable growth and ethanol sensing

Gas nanosensors are nowadays very important to monitor environment and human conditions in many fields. Low cost synthesis of nanostructured metal oxides is thus crucial to satisfy this need to the best. Herein, nickel oxide p-type semiconducting nanowires with polycrystalline structure were prepared by a facile and scalable hydrothermal method. Morphology and structure of the NiO nanowires were investigated by scan electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The nanostructured materials were then tested as ethanol sensors showing good performance in terms of sensor response, stability, speed and selectivity towards ethanol, ammonia and liquefied petroleum gas. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.