Vapor Phase Synthesis Characterization, Gas Sensing Performances of Co3O4, Au/Co3O4 Nanosystems

Al(2)O(3)-supported Co(3)O(4) nanosystems were grown by a Chemical Vapor Deposition route under O(2) + H(2)O atmospheres at 500 degrees C. Subsequently, the preparation of Au/Co(3)O(4) composites was attained by Radio Frequency-Sputtering of gold onto the previous Co(3)O(4) nanodeposits. Important data on the system structure, morphology and chemical composition were obtained by the combined use of complementary techniques, namely Glancing Incidence X-ray Diffraction, Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry. Finally, the gas sensing properties of the synthesized systems were probed in the detection of ethanol and hydrogen. The obtained results revealed significant responses already at moderate temperatures, which could be further enhanced by Co(3)O(4) functionalization with Au nanoparticles.