Synthesis of vanadium pentoxide nanoneedles by physical vapour deposition and their highly sensitive behavior towards acetone at room temperature

Abstract

V₂O₅ nanoneedles were synthesized using a facile physical vapour deposition approach. The XRD patterns confirmed the good crystallinity of the as prepared nanoneedles. The chemical states of the V₂O₅ nanoneedles were confirmed through XPS analysis. Gas sensor based on the V₂O₅ nanoneedles was investigated for four types of gases (acetone, ammonia, ethanol and propylamine) at room temperature. A high reproducible response and a good selective behavior towards acetone were observed in both low and high concentration zones with a low detection limit of 941 ppb, which was explained on the basis of the energy band model. A sensing mechanism has also been suggested.