A precursor route to single-crystalline WO3 nanoplates with an uneven surface and enhanced sensing properties.

A W-containing inorganic-organic nanohybrid with a plate-like morphology has been successfully prepared through a nonaqueous synthetic route using WCl(6) as the tungsten source and benzyl alcohol as the solvent. The as-prepared hybrid nanomaterial was used directly as an efficient precursor for the formation of WO(3) nanoplates via a simple thermal treatment process. The as-obtained WO(3) material maintains the plate-like morphology of the precursor and possesses a unique uneven surface structure. It is noted that the use of a inorganic-organic hybrid precursor is essential for the creation of an uneven surface on the WO(3) nanoplates, which exhibit high sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of acetone vapour at a relatively low operating temperature (200 °C). The excellent sensing performance of the WO(3) nanomaterial is attributed to its unique uneven surface structure besides the small particle size and ultrathin morphology.