CeO2 nanorods decorated In2O3 nanoparticles for enhanced low temperature detection of hydrogen.

[Display omitted] • In 2 O 3 -loaded CeO 2 nanorods was applied to hydrogen sensor in the air for the first time. • In 2 O 3 -loaded CeO 2 nanorods exhibited enhanced hydrogen sensing performance. • Enhanced hydrogen sensing performance is due to n-n junction and the larger specific surface area. Hydrogen (H 2) detection sensors based on pure CeO 2 nanorods (NRs) and In 2 O 3 -loaded CeO 2 NRs with different In 2 O 3 contents (5 wt%, 10 wt%, and 15 wt%) were investigated. The crystal phase evolution, morphology features, and response characteristics of the In 2 O 3 -loaded CeO 2 NRs were analyzed in detail using characteristic techniques. Gas sensing results showed that the In 2 O 3 -loaded CeO 2 gas sensors exhibited superior H 2 sensing performances compared with pure CeO 2 NRs under low operating temperature (100 °C). Notably, the gas sensors based on the 10 wt% In 2 O 3 -loaded CeO 2 nanocomposite showed the most refined performance, with response values of 2.79 and 2.43 times higher than those of the pure CeO 2 NRs sensors for 1000 ppm and 4000 ppm H 2 , respectively. The response values exhibited a linear relationship with the detection concentration. Moreover, the In 2 O 3 -loaded CeO 2 gas sensor demonstrated enhanced H 2 selectivity, good recyclability, and long-term stability. Finally, the improved gas sensing mechanism of the In 2 O 3 -loaded CeO 2 gas sensor for H 2 was also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]