Ultrasensitive Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds by a Pore Tuning Approach Using Anisotropically Shaped SnO2 Nanocrystals

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b13006
• Publication Date: 2016-12-01T01:31:42Z
• Authors: Tetsuya Kida; Koichi Suematsu; Kazuyoshi Hara; Kiyoshi Kanie; Atsushi Muramatsu
• Keywords: Volatile organic compound

Gas sensing with oxide nanostructures is increasingly important to detect gaseous compounds for safety monitoring, process controls, and medical diagnostics. For such applications, sensor sensitivity one major criterion. In this study, sensitively volatile organic (VOCs) at very low concentrations, we fabricated porous films using SnO2 nanocubes (13 nm) nanorods different rod lengths (50-500 that were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The response H2 increased decreasing crystal size; the film made of smallest showed best sensitivity, which suggested controlled size. contrast, responses ethanol acetone increasing size resultant pore highest was observed longest nanorods. Using Knudsen diffusion-surface reaction equation, gas simulated compared experimental data. simulation results proved detection Finally, achieved ultrahigh ethanol; (S) exceeded S = 100 000, corresponds an electrical resistance change 5 orders magnitude in ppm 250 °C. present approach based on control provides basis designing highly sensitive meet criterion practical sensors can wide variety VOCs ppb concentrations.