Thin films of SnO2-CeO2 binary oxides obtained by pulsed laser deposition for sensing application

► SnO2-xCeO2 (x = 10-30%) thin films were prepared by RF assisted PLD from chemically synthesized binary compounds. ► Sensitivity values ∼40 were obtained. ► The H2 sensor works at temperatures as low as 250-320 °C. ► The functioning is based on a reversible process implying H2 dissociation and atoms bonding to the surface lattice oxygen.