Synthesis of self-assembled mesoporous 3D In2O3 hierarchical micro flowers composed of nanosheets and their electrochemical properties

Abstract

This report describes the methodology for the fabrication of mesoporous In₂O₃ microflowers by hydrothermal and calcination procedures in which In(OH)₃/In₂S₃ acts as an intermediate. Both In₂O₃ and its precursor were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. BET surface area, pore size and pore volume analyses were also carried out. Electron microscopy images clearly evidence the self-assembly of 2D nanosheets into the micro flower structure. The mechanism of self-assembly and calcination is reported. Electrochemical properties of the synthesized In₂O₃ micro flowers were studied.