Single-crystalline LaFeO₃ nanotubes with rough tube walls: synthesis and gas-sensing properties

Single-crystalline LaFeO3 nanotubes with rough tube walls have been prepared by a new two-step method: co-precipitation followed by molten-salt synthesis. The as-prepared samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Gas sensors were fabricated using the as-prepared sample. It was found that the sensors based on the LaFeO3 nanotubes showed good sensing properties to Cl2 at room temperature. The detection limit of the sensors reached 1 ppm Cl2 at room temperature and the sensors showed good selectivity and stability.