Design of a Metal-Oxide Solid Solution for Sub-ppm H2 Detection

• DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.1c02481
• Publication Date: 2022-02-16T16:00:12Z
• Authors: Elena Spagnoli; Andrea Gaiardo; Barbara Fabbri; Matteo Valt; Soufiane Krik; Matteo Ardit; Giuseppe Cruciani; Michele Della Ciana; Lia Vanzetti; Gabriele Vola; Sandro Gherardi; Pierluigi Bellutti; Cesare Malagù; Vincenzo Guidi
• Keywords: (Sn,Ti,Nb) xO2; chemoresistive gas sensors; H2detection; metal-oxide solid solution; nanostructured MOX; H2 detection; (Sn,Ti,Nb)xO2; (Sn; Ti; Nb) xO2; chemoresistive gas sensors; H2detection; metal-oxide solid solution; nanostructured MOX; chemoresistive gas sensor; nanostructured MOX; metal-oxide solid solution; 624; 01 natural sciences; 620; 0104 chemical sciences

Hydrogen is largely adopted in industrial processes and one of the leading options for storing renewable energy. Due to its high explosivity, detection H2 has become essential safety industries, storage, transportation. This work aims design a sensing film high-sensitivity detection. Chemoresistive gas sensors have extensively been studied monitoring due their good sensitivity low cost. However, further research development are still needed reliable at sub-ppm concentrations. Metal-oxide solid solutions represent valuable approach tuning properties by modifying composition, morphology, structure. The started from solution Sn Ti oxides, which known exhibit toward H2. Such was empowered addition Nb, which─according earlier studies on titania films─was expected inhibit grain growth temperatures, reduce resistance impact sensor selectivity sensitivity. Powders were synthesized through sol-gel technique keeping Sn-Ti ratio constant optimal value with different Nb concentrations (1.5-5 atom %). thermally treated 650 850 °C. based calcined °C lowest content exhibited an extremely H2, paving way ppb For comparison, response 50 ppm increased 6 times vs SnO2 twice that (Sn,Ti)xO2.