Design of flower-like V₂O₅ hierarchical nanostructures by hydrothermal strategy for the selective and sensitive detection of xylene

Present work proposes the insight towards synthesis of flower-like vanadium oxide hierarchical nanostructures (V₂O₅ HNs) through a simple and template-free hydrothermal method and their utilization as a potential xylene gas sensing materials. XRD and XPS analysis supports to the configuration of highly crystalline orthorhombic phase of V₂O₅. Surface morphologies of V₂O₅ were controlled through varying the reaction times during hydrothermal synthesis. SEM and TEM studies undoubtedly corroborates that the flower-like V₂O₅ HNs (3–5 μm in diameters) are composed of large number of nanosheet- and nanoneedle-type structures. BET and BJH analysis supports to the mesoporous character of V₂O₅ HNs with specific surface area of 19.5291 m²/g. Gas sensing studies on as-fabricated V₂O₅ HNs sensors were performed towards a various target gases, temperatures, and varying concentrations thoroughly and described. Gas sensing studies demonstrate that the flower-like V₂O₅ HNs sensors are selective and effective towards xylene @300 °C. Among various V₂O₅ HNs sensors, the sensor based on V₂O₅-3 exhibits maximum response of 3.03 to 500 ppm xylene together with good response repeatability and long term stability (towards 100 ppm, Ra/Rg = 2.20) @300 °C. Finally, the selective detection of xylene using as-grown flower-like V₂O₅ HNs can cover the road in the direction of the development of sensing systems for the acute detection and monitoring of toxic xylene.