Microstructure control of TiO2 nanotubular films for improved VOC sensing

Porous gas sensing films composed of TiO₂ nanotubes were fabricated for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as alcohol and toluene. In order to control the microstructure of TiO₂ nanotubular films, ball-milling treatments were used to shorten the length of TiO₂ nanotubes and to improve the particle packing density of the films without destroying their tubular morphology and crystal structure. The ball-milling treatment successfully modified the porosity of the gas sensing films by inducing more intimate contacts between nanotubes, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury porosimetry. The sensor using nanotubes after the ball-milling treatment for 3 h exhibited an improved sensor response and selectivity to toluene (50 ppm) at the operating temperature of 500 °C. However, an extensive ball-milling treatment did not enhance the original sensor response, probably owing to a decrease in the porosity of the film. The results obtained indicated the importance of the microstructure control of sensing layers in terms of particle packing density and porosity for detecting large sized organic gas molecules.