Fabrication and characterization of SnO2/ZnO gas sensors for detecting toluene gas

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2014 Nov;14(11):8495-501. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2014.9998.

Abstract

This study investigates the use of SnO2, ZnO, Ag, Au, Cu, In, Pd, Ru and carbon black to improve the sensitivity of a gas sensor for detecting toluene gas. Metal-SnO2/ZnO thick films were screen-printed onto Al2O3 substrates with platinum electrodes. The physico-chemical properties of the sensor materials were characterized using SEM/EDS, XRD, and BET analyses. Measuring the electrical resistance of each sensor as a function of the gas concentration determined the sensing characteristics. The sensors were tested using toluene, benzene, xylene, ethanol, methanol, ammonia and trimethylamine vapors with concentrations of 1-2000 ppm. The gas sensing properties of metal-SnO2/ZnO thick films depended on the content and variety of metals and the content of carbon black. The optimum condition of sensor material for toluene gas detection is operation temperature 300 degrees C and when metal catalyst Cu and carbon black were added. The best sensitivity and selectivity for toluene gas at 300 degrees C resulted from doping with 5 wt.% carbon black, 1 wt.% Cu and 20 wt.% ZnO to SnO2.

MeSH terms

  • Environmental Monitoring / instrumentation*
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Equipment Design
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Soot
  • Surface Properties
  • Tin Compounds / chemistry*
  • Toluene / analysis*
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / analysis
  • Zinc Oxide / chemistry*

Substances

  • Soot
  • Tin Compounds
  • Volatile Organic Compounds
  • Toluene
  • stannic oxide
  • Zinc Oxide