Yttrium-doped SnO<,2> powders were successfully synthesized by solution co-precipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The sensitivity of sensors based on Y-doped SnO<,2> and SnO<,2> nanocrystals were investigated comparatively. The results indicated that Y-doped SnO<,2> was with the result of enhancement of sensitivity and selectivity to ethanol and reduction of sensitivity to other gas components. The enhancements of selectivity and sensitivity could be contributed to for two reasons. The first is that rare metal yttrium has a high alkalescence and good catalysis, and the second is that the nanosized crystallite and large specific surface area of Y-doped SnO<,2> is advantageous for gas-diffusion control as well as an increase in active sites for gas detection.
Y-doped SnO<,2> co-precipitation method sensor material sensitivity properties rare earths
Li Chao(李超) Bi Lei(毕磊) Fang Shaoming(方少明) Xu Jiaqiang(徐甲强) Gui Yanghai(桂阳海) Wu Shide(吴诗德) Chen Rongfeng(陈荣峰)
Henan Province Key Laboratory of Surface & lnterface Science, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry Henan Province Key Laboratory of Surface & lnterface Science, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry Henan Province Key Laboratory of Surface & Interface Science, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry Henan Province Key Laboratory of Surface & lnterface Science, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry Henan Academy of Science, Zhengzhou450002, China