MOFs-derived In2O3/ZnO/Ti3C2TX MXene ternary nanocomposites for ethanol gas sensing at room temperature

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-derived metal oxides usually have porous nanostructures and have broad applications in gas-sensing. MXene, as transition metal carbide, has received extensive attention due to its unique properties. In this article, the MOFs-derived In2O3/ZnO hollow nanotubes were successfully combined with Ti3C2TX MXene to realize the detection of ethanol under room temperature (RT). The morphology and composition of MOFs-derived In2O3/ZnO/Ti3C2TX MXene were determined by characterization strategies. The sensing performance measurement results show that the response of the sensor to 10 ppm ethanol gas at 25 ºC and 30 %RH is 2.15, and the response-recovery time is 85/112 s. In addition, the gas selectivity of In2O3/ZnO/Ti3C2TX MXene was analyzed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Therefore, this study is expected to present a new strategy for sensors to detect ethanol gas at RT. [Display omitted] •In2O3/ZnO/Ti3C2TX MXene ternary nanocomposites present enhanced ethanol-sensing performance at room temperature.•Enhanced sensing response is attributed to synergistic effect of metal oxide heterojunction/2D hybrid materials.•The sensing mechanism is discussed in detail in conjunction with density functional theory calculations.