Microstructure and gas-sensing properties of thick film sensor using nanophase SnO 2 powder

Abstract The object of the present work apply the nanophase SnO 2 powder synthesized by inert gas condensation method (IGC) to thick film hydrogen sensor and to study the effect of microstructural changes of sensors on the sensing properties. SnO 2 gas sensors were printed using nanophase SnO 2 powder without any doping element by a silk screen printing method and subsequently sintered. Among the thick film sensors manufactured at various temperatures, the highest sensitivity was obtained in the sensor sintered at 600 • C, which exhibited its maximum sensitivity of 96% at 250 • C against the hydrogen concentration of 2500 ppm. The results were discussed in viewpoint of the pore structure and the crystallinity of the sensors