Enhanced electrochemical performance and humidity sensing properties of Al3+ substituted mesoporous SnO2 nanoparticles

Abstract

The present work demonstrates that the capability of Al 3+ ions as a dopant in the mesoporous tin dioxide (SnO 2 ) nanopowders for humidity sensor and electrochemical applications. Al 3+ ions substituted mesoporous SnO 2 were prepared by facile hydrothermal method . The influence of Al 3+ ions concentration on structural, morphological, optical and electrochemical properties of mesoporous SnO 2 were studied in detail using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Brunner-Emmett-Teller (BET), Ultra Violet-visible (UV vis.) absorption spectroscopy , Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies. The electrochemical results indicated that a good electrochemical performance and it can be used in energy storage devices. Besides, higher percentage of Al 3+ ions enhanced on the humidity sensitivity at different temperatures and the material exhibit excellent characteristics as humidity sensor. The resistance value decreases with increase of Al 3+ ions doping. The increase of humidity sensing response with the increase of Al 3+ doping concentration, due to increase of surface area and porosity, which showed the sensing response time and recovery time around 87s and 64s, respectively, and it revealed that the sample has quick response and recovery time. The stability study confirms the Al 3+ ions substituted SnO 2 (x = 0.05) sample showed good stability as a humidity sensor. • Al 3+ substituted SnO 2 nanopowders were prepared by facile hydrothermal method. • Electrochemical studies indicated a good performance of materials for the use in energy storage devices. • Sn 1-x Al x O 2 (x = 0.05) showed enhanced electrochemical performance compared to other samples. • Humidity sensitivity measurement showed excellent characteristics as humidity sensor.