| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 588484 | Process Safety and Environmental Protection | 2011 | 7 Pages |
The characteristic and effectiveness of pure and modified tin dioxide catalytic pellets as volatile organic compound sensors are discussed. The pure and La-doped SnO2 thick film sensor pellets exhibited highest sensitivity to ethanol, methanol and acetone vapour at sensing temperature 300 °C. The highest sensitivity towards 500 ppm of ethanol, acetone and methanol was achieved by 5 at.% of La-doped SnO2 with values of ∼57, ∼55 and ∼59, respectively. The enhancement of the sensitivity of La-doped SnO2 can be explained by the increase of surface areas; decrease of crystallites sizes and the basicity of the lanthanum dopants. The response times for the developed sensors were about 13–15 s for both pure SnO2 and La-doped SnO2 illustrated a fast response sensor that could be used as VOC sensors.
Research highlights▶ SnO2 and La-SnO2 catalytic pellets were developed by using modified sol–gel method. ▶ The optimum operating temperature was 300 °C for both SnO2 and La-SnO2 pellets. ▶ The response times for both SnO2 and La-SnO2 pellets were in the range of 13–15 s. ▶ The highest sensitivity towards VOCs was achieved by the 5 at.% La-SnO2 pellet. ▶ Lanthanum in SnO2 had increased the pellet's sensitivity in detection of VOCs.
