Preparation of MoO3 Nanowhiskers
Meechai T Tapnurat apnurat [a], [b], Supab Choopun [a], Pongsri Mangkorntong [a] and Nikorn Mangkorntong* [a]* Author for corresponding; e-mail address: nikornm@gmail.com
Volume: Vol.32 No.3 (SEPTEMBER 2005)
Research Article
DOI:
Received: -, Revised: -, Accepted: -, Published: -
Citation: Apnurat M.T.T., Choopun S., Mangkorntong P. and Mangkorntong N., Preparation of MoO3 Nanowhiskers, Chiang Mai Journal of Science, 2005; 32(3): 421-425.
Abstract
Molybdenum oxide (MoO3) is a wide bandgap semiconductor which can be used as a gas sensor. In this work, molybdenum oxide nanowhiskers were prepared by vapor transport method. First, molybdenum oxide powder were mixed with tin oxide (SnO2) powder of the ratio of 0%, 20%, 50%, 80% and 100 % by weight. The mixed powder was grounded and pressed into the form of cylindrical tube. Then, the tube was sintered in air at 550oC for 6 h. From Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) results, nanowhiskers of molybdenum oxide were observed both inside and outside the tube for 50% SnO2 mixed sample. A typical nanowhisker size is about 100-300 nm wide, 520 µ m long and 80-150 nm thick. For 20% and 80% SnO2 mixed sample, nanowhiskers were observed only inside the tube but none of nanowhiskers were observed for pure MoO and pure SnO2 sample.