Swift heavy ion irradiated SnO2 thin film sensor for efficient detection of SO2 gas

• Response of Ni7+ ion irradiated (100 MeV) SnO2 film have been performed.
• Effect of irradiation on the structural and optical properties of SnO2 film is studied.
• A decrease in operating temperature and increased response is seen after irradiation.

Gas sensing response studies of the Ni7+ ion irradiated (100 MeV) and non-irradiated SnO2 thin film sensor prepared under same conditions have been performed towards SO2 gas (500 ppm). The effect of irradiation on the structural, surface morphological, optical and gas sensing properties of SnO2 thin film based sensor have been studied. A significant decrease in operating temperature (from 220 °C to 60 °C) and increased sensing response (from 1.3 to 5.0) is observed for the sample after irradiation. The enhanced sensing response obtained for the irradiated SnO2 thin film based sensor is attributed to the desired modification in the surface morphology and material properties of SnO2 thin film by Ni7+ ions.