Influence of Sn doping on ZnO sensing properties for ethanol and acetone

Nanostructured pure ZnO (PZO) and Sn doped ZnO (SZO) were deposited on glass templates by chemical deposition method. Before the deposition, electrically conductive silver paste was pasted at the two ends of the glass templates as electrodes. The gas sensing properties of the nanostructured PZO and SZO were systematically investigated by our home-made system, and the results show that Sn doping decreases the response to tested gases. However, it remarkably shortens the response time and recovery time of the sensor. Both PZO and SZO show higher response to acetone than to ethanol, while the response time and recovery time of PZO and SZO to ethanol are shorter than those to acetone, which indicates that the selectivity of ZnO nanostructures to ethanol and acetone are different.

► The response (S), response time and recovery time of pure ZnO and tin-doped ZnO thin film to ethanol and acetone were tested and calculated.
► Sn doping makes the response of ZnO decrease, but it notably shortens the response time and recovery time.
► Either PZO or SZO shows better response to acetone than ethanol.
► But the response time and recovery time of PZO and SZO to ethanol are shorter than acetone.