Solid-state synthesis strategy of hierarchically-structured BiOCl desert-roses for the selective detection of C2H5OH

Bismuth oxychloride desert-rose microflowers (BiOCl DMFs), composed of several nanoplates with crevices between them that facilitate sufficient surface for reactions of the target gas molecules for gas sensors, are successfully synthesized rapidly through a facile and cost-effective room-temperature solid-state synthesis strategy. The structure and morphology of as-synthesized BiOCl DMFs are confirmed from the X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurement techniques. The reaction mechanism responsible for BiOCl formation is also proposed. The sensors made from BiOCl DMFs exhibit an excellent chemiresistive performance to C2H5OH at 180 °C with remarkable reversibility and stability in response. This work offers innovative insight in synthesizing BiOCl microflowers in a facile and cost-effective manner through solid-state synthesis approach for the application of chemiresistive sensors. [Display omitted] •Facile and rapid room temperature solid-state synthesis strategy of BiOCl DMFs.•The reaction mechanism responsible for BiOCl formation is proposed.•As-fabricated BiOCl DMFs sensor is highly selective to C2H5OH @180 °C.•BiOCl DMFs sensor demonstrates excellent repeatability, and stability in response to C2H5OH @180 °C.