High butane sensitivity and selectivity exhibited by combustion synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Banerjee, Suparna; Nag, Pratanu; Majumdar, Sanhita; Devi, P. Sujatha
• Is Part Of: Materials research bulletin. Volume 65(2015:May)
• Page Start: 216
• Page End: 223
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: A. Oxides -- B. Chemical synthesis -- D. Surface properties; Materials -- Periodicals; Crystal growth -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Cristaux -- Croissance -- Périodiques; Crystal growth; Materials; Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2015.01.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-5408

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Pure SnO2 has been prepared by a citrate–nitrate process. The 600 °C calcined SnO2 has provided better sensitivity (91%) than 800 °C calcined one. A combination of sensitivity and selectivity achieved without the addition of any noble metal catalyst such as Pd or Au. Abstract: We report here the high butane sensitivity and selectivity exhibited by nanoparticles of SnO2 prepared by a citrate–nitrate gel combustion process. Using the synthesized powders, the sensitivity towards 500, 1000 and 5000 ppm n -butane has been measured at various operating temperatures from 350 °C to 500 °C. The powder calcined at 600 °C exhibited a sensitivity of 91 ± 0.5% towards 1000 ppm n -butane with a recovery time of 15 s at an operating temperature of 350 °C. We have explored the effect of size on both butane gas sensitivity and selectivity and found that the reduction of particle size of the order of 10 nm could result in a remarkable increase in the response of the sensor towards butane compared to other reducing gases like H2 and CH4 . The most important observation that emerged from our studies is a combination of sensitivity and selectivity that has been achieved using SnO2 nanoparticles without the addition of any noble metal catalyst such as Pd or Au.