Gold sensitized sprayed SnO₂ nanostructured film for enhanced LPG sensing

We report LPG sensing of gold (Au)-sensitized SnO₂ nanostructured film fabricated by an easy spray pyrolysis deposition method whose surface morphology is confirmed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images and structure by X-ray diffraction pattern. Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer analysis has carried out for finding elemental composition. The SnO₂ film is uniform and consists of spherical particles of ∼10 nm. The highest gas response observed at 780 ppm LPG concentration for pristine SnO₂ is 28%, at operating temperature 623 K, which is greatly improved on Au sensitization up to 57% with 60 s rapid response time at 598 K operating temperarture. The high gas response is due to electronic effect and catalytic spill-over effect of Au sensitization. The improved sensing mechanism has throughly been explored.