Enhanced room temperature ozone response of SnO2 thin film sensor

•SnO2 sensors were fabricated for ozone gas sensing at room temperature.•The morphology of sensor components was significant parameter on gas sensing.•The triton assisted SnO2 sensor had the best response and stability towards ozone at room temperature.

Room temperature responses of SnO2 thin film sensors were investigated for ozone detection. The SnO2 sensors were prepared using sol–gel process. Triton (X-100) surfactant was used as dispersant in the reaction system. The sensitive layers were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after heat treatments at 300 °C for 1 h. The effect of the dispersant on SnO2 thin film sensor surface was found to lead to an enhanced response of about 3.5 times for the detection of ozone (500 ppb) at room temperature. Results are concordant for indicating the possibility of utilizing the sensor based on SnO2 thin film for efficient detection of O3 at room temperature without activation using catalysts or UV radiations.

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