Enhanced catalytic activity of nanoscale platinum islands loaded onto SnO_2 thin film for sensitive LPG gas sensors

摘要

In the present study, different catalysts (approx 10 nm thick) including metals, noble metals and metal oxides, were loaded in dotted island form over SnO_2 thin film for LPG gas detection. A comparison of various catalysts indicated that the presence of platinum dotted islands over SnO_2 thin film deposited by r.f. sputtering exhibited enhanced response characteristics with a high sensitivity, approx 742, at an operating temperature of approx 280 deg C. Different characterization techniques have been employed such as atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction and UV-vis spectroscopy, to study the surface morphology, grain size and optical properties of the deposited thin films. The results suggest the possibility of utilizing the sensor element with the present novel method of catalyst dispersal for the efficient detection of LPG.