Sensing of volatile alkanes by metal-oxide semiconductors

Sensing of volatile alkanes via chemoresistive gas sensors has been addressed. Screen-printed films of Au- and Pd-added SnO2 and a solid solution of mixed Sn and Ti oxides have been selected for the purpose. We demonstrate that the films sensitively detect 200 ppm of such gases, a value which is by far lower than their alarm limits. Information about the working mechanism of chemical reactions at surface has been discussed.