Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization and gas sensing properties of the WO3 nanofibers

An unique WO3 nanofibers were synthesized successfully via a novel one-step hydrothermal method for the first time. The WO3 nanofibers had uniform size with diameters around 100 nm and length up to tens of micrometers. We found that the WO3 nanofibers showed excellent gas sensing performances towards ethanol. Moreover, a possible growth mechanism of the novel WO3 nanofibers was also proposed. Such an unexpected morphology held substantial promise for rendering WO3 as an excellent gas sensing material. The facile preparation method and the improved properties derived from the one-dimensional structures of nanofibers are significant in the synthesis and future applications of functional nanomaterials.