Molybdenum oxide nanowires were synthesized through VS mechanism by thermal evaporation method. The effects of the experimental parameters on the morphology of the nanowires were discussed. Also, the silver nanoparticles were decorated on the surface of the molybdenum oxide nanowires by the constant current method in electrochemistry. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the nanowires and nanoparticles. Electrical measurements reveal that the resistivity of the unmodified molybdenum oxide nanowire is 7.6*10^-7 Ω·m, which is better than that found in previous studies. With proper oxygen vacancies in the nanowires, the electron transport properties can be optimized. Gas sensing measurements show that the response to carbon dioxide gas at 300°C can reach 72.4, while the responses to acetone and ethanol gas can reach 39.2 and 30.1, respectively. Silver nanoparticles can cause spillover effects and increase catalysis. The response after modification has been significantly improved.

KEYWORDS: molybdenum oxide, nanowires, silver modification, resistivity, gas sensing