Synthesis, Structural and Gas Sensing Characterization of W-Doped SnO_2 Nanostructures

摘要

Tin oxide material has been extensively used for gas sensing application. Due to high operating temperature of metal oxide gas sensors, around 600 K and long term instability, research has been carried out to improve the material properties and reducing operating temperature. Nano structure materials have shown higher sensitivity and better stability towards gas environment. Air pollutants from automobiles and industry waste are the primary sources of environmental pollutants and there is need to develop low temperature, sensitive and selective gas sensors to monitor the gas content. In this paper, we have discussed the effect of Tungsten (W) doping in SnO_2 nanostructures on the structural and gas sensing properties. The nanostructures have been synthesized by thermal evaporation process. The structural and surface morphology studies confirm the growth of nanowires on silicon substrates. The corresponding EDX spectra also confirm the doping of W into SnO_2 nanowires. The gas sensor response of W-doped SnO_2 nanowires was investigated upon exposure to various gases. It has been observed that doping of W enhances the NO_2 sensitivity of nanowire based sensors at low temperature and the sensor response improves with increase in gas concentration.