Cerium-doped SnO2 nanomaterials with enhanced gas-sensitive properties for adsorption semiconductor sensors intended to detect low H2 concentrations

Abstract

Highly sensitive to H2 sensors were created on the base of material obtained through tin (II) oxalate oxidation by hydrogen peroxide water solution. It has been established that the addition of 0.1 wt% Ce to the sensor materials significantly increases response values of the sensors to hydrogen micro-concentrations in air (44 ppm H2). Nanoscale nature of the obtained sensor materials was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The average particle size of the obtained 0.1 wt% Ce/SnO2 sensor materials was found to be 10.6 nm. The sensors doped with 0.1 wt% Ce exhibit enhanced gas sensing properties: a wide concentration range of H2 detection in air, relatively high selectivity to hydrogen and good repeatability of the response to H2 during long-term sensor operation (2 months). Analysis of the previously reported data has revealed a promising combination of high sensitivity to hydrogen and fast response time with low Ce loading for sensors based on Ce/SnO2 material obtained in this work.