Abstract
The sensing behavior of SnO2-based thick film gas sensors in a flow system in the presence of a very low concentration (ppb level) of chemical agent simulants such as acetonitrile, dipropylene glycol methyl ether (DPGME), dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), and dichloromethane (DCM) was investigated. Commercial SnO2 [SnO2(C)] and nano-SnO2 prepared by the precipitation method [SnO2(P)] were used to prepare the SnO2 sensor in this study. In the case of DCM and acetonitrile, the SnO2(P) sensor showed higher sensor response as compared with the SnO2(C) sensors. In the case of DMMP and DPGME, however, the SnO2(C) sensor showed higher responses than those of the SnO2(P) sensors. In particular, the response of the SnO2(P) sensor increased as the calcination temperature increased from 400 °C to 800 °C. These results can be explained by the fact that the response of the SnO2-based gas sensor depends on the textural properties of tin oxide and the molecular size of the chemical agent simulant in the detection of the simulant gases (0.1–0.5 ppm).
Highlights
Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are chemical substances intended for use in military operations to kill, injure or incapacitate an enemy
The important point to note is that the responses of the SnO2 gas sensors were affected by the kinds of tin oxide and chemical agent simulant, regardless of the concentration of the chemical agent simulant
The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of SnO2(P)400, 600, and 800 were completely consistent with that of the SnO2(C)600. These results indicate that the difference in the sensor response of the SnO2(C)600 and the SnO2(P)600 sensors to the chemical agent simulants was not affected by the structure of the tin oxide
Summary
Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are chemical substances intended for use in military operations to kill, injure or incapacitate an enemy. These agents are classified according to their mechanism of toxicity in humans into blister agents, nerve agents, blood agents, and pulmonary agents [1]. These agents still remain a threat, especially from other countries and terrorists, as they are easy to manufacture, cheap and have devastating effects [1]. The advantages of sensors fabricated with SnO2 are as follows: high level of sensor response, simple design, low weight, and cheap price
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