Single crystalline α-Fe₂O₃ nanoflakes and nanowires are controllably synthesized simply by heating iron foil at different temperatures. The growth mechanisms are proposed based on the electron microscopy results. Electrical transport studies reveal n-type semiconducting behavior of α-Fe₂O₃ nanowire. A new type of α-Fe₂O₃ gas sensor based on single α-Fe₂O₃ nanowire as sensing unit is developed. The gas sensing on electron transport through the nanowire is investigated. Moreover, the CO detection sensitivity can be modulated by the gate voltage. Our results indicate that α-Fe₂O₃ nanowire holds good potential for nanoscale sensing applications.

J. Phys. Chem. C, ASAP Article, 10.1021/jp802968a