Low-heating solid-state synthesis and excellent gas-sensing properties of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles

α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with different size were synthesized by low-heating solid-state chemical reaction. The composition and morphology of the samples were determined by XRD, EDS, SEM and TEM. The surface area and pore diameter were measured by BET. Gas response of products to the different target gas was measured. Results showed that α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles have high response, fast response/recovery characteristic and good long-time stability at lower working temperature than commercial materials. The response to the target gases was easily improved by the enlargement of surface area via decreasing the grain size of α-Fe2O3 materials by the control of solid-state reaction speed. The excellent sensing properties makes as-prepared α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles ideal candidate for ethanol and acetone sensors.