Improved ethanediol sensing with single Yb ions doped SnO2 nanobelt

Yb-doped SnO2 nanobelts (Yb-SnO2 NBs) and pure SnO2 nanobelts (SnO2 NBs) are successfully synthesized by thermal evaporation method and their composition and morphology are characterized. The single nanobelt device is fabricated by dual-ion beam deposition system, and the gas sensing performance to ethanediol, methanal, ethanol and acetone is investigated. The results show that the best working temperature of single Yb-SnO2 NB sensor to ethanediol is 190 °C, which is lower than that of pure counterpart and the highest sensitivity is 10.5 to 100 ppm of ethanediol. In addition, it is found that the response/recovery time is short and the sensor exhibits excellent selectivity and stability. The sensing performance of SnO2 NB is actually improved by Yb.