Effect of Nanoparticle Size on Gas-sensing Properties of Tin Dioxide Sensors

Sn(OH)₄ was prepared by the conventional solution precipitate method, followed by supercritical CO₂ drying. The resultant Sn(OH)₄ was divided into three aliquots and calcined at 400, 600 and 800℃, respectively, thus SnO₂ nanoparticles with average crystallite sizes of 5, 10 and 25 nm were obtained. Furthermore, three SnO₂ thick film gas sensors(denoted as sensors S-400, S-600 and S-800) were fabricated from the above SnO₂ nanoparticles. The adhesion of sensing materials on the surface of alumina tube is good. Compared to the sensors S-600 and S-800, sensor S-400 showed a much higher sensitivity to 1000 μL/L ethanol. On the other hand, sensor S-800 showed a much lower intrinsic resistance and improved selectivity to ethanol than sensors S-400 and S-600. X-Ray diffraction(XRD), transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and selective area electron diffraction(SAED) measurements were used to characterize the SnO₂ nanoparticles calcined at different temperatures. The differences in the gas sensing performance of these sensors were analyzed on the basis of scanning electron microscopy(SEM).