The Effect of Cu Doping on LPG Response of the SnO<sub>2</sub> Nanostructure Layer

Abstract

In this research, the pure and Cu-doped SnO2 nanostructure layers covered on the glass substrate by sol-gel and spin coating methods. The composition, structure and surface morphology of these layers have been studied by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), respectively. The results of EDX analysis show that the Cu-doped SnO2 layer is a mixture of 4.97 wt% Copper and 95.03 wt% Tin elements. The images obtained from FESEM show existence of the particles about 50 nm and 38 nm for pure and Cu-doped SnO2 layers, respectively. Also the results obtained from XRD spectroscopy show that these layers have the tetragonal polycrystalline Tin dioxide structure. The response of these layers investigated for different concentrations of Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) by static gas sensing system. The results of this investigation show that the Cu-doped SnO2 nanostructure layer compared with the pure SnO2 nanostructure layer has the better response for LPG.