A Room Temperature H(2) Sensor Fabricated Using High Performance Pt-Loaded SnO(2) Nanoparticles

Highly sensitive H(2) gas sensors were prepared using pure and Pt-loaded SnO(2) nanoparticles. Thick film sensors (~35 μm) were fabricated that showed a highly porous interconnected structure made of high density small grained nanoparticles. Using Pt as catalyst improved sensor response and reduced the operating temperature for achieving high sensitivity because of the negative temperature coefficient observed in Pt-loaded SnO(2). The highest sensor response to 1000 ppm H(2) was 10,500 at room temperature with a response time of 20 s. The morphology of the SnO(2) nanoparticles, the surface loading concentration and dispersion of the Pt catalyst and the microstructure of the sensing layer all play a key role in the development of an effective gas sensing device.