Improved H2 sensing properties of Co-doped SnO2 nanofibers

Pure and Co-doped SnO2 nanofibers are synthesized via an electrospinning method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Comparing with pure SnO2 nanofibers, Co-doped SnO2 nanofibers exhibit improved H2 sensing properties. Among all the samples (pure, 0.5 wt%, 1 wt%, and 3 wt% Co-doped SnO2 nanofibers), 1 wt% Co-doped SnO2 nanofibers show the highest response with very short response/recovery times. The response is up to 24 when the corresponding sensor is exposed to 100 ppm H2 at 330 °C, and the response and recovery times are 2 and 3 s, respectively. Good selectivity is also observed in our investigation. These results make Co-doped SnO2 nanofibers good candidates for fabricating high performance H2 sensors in practical.