ZnO-Ag ceramics for ethanol sensors

The structure and electrical properties of the ZnO-Ag (0.001-3 wt%) ceramics in air and in air with the ethanol addition are studied. It was found that electrical parameters are sensitive to the concentration of ethanol in air due to a decrease in the barrier height at the grain boundaries. Silver addition causes a decrease in the density of material due to the formation of Ag inclusions. This can be the main reason of higher sensitivity to ethanol observed in ZnO-Ag ceramics in comparison with other ZnO-based ceramics.