Porous CuO/SnO2 composite nanofibers fabricated by electrospinning and their H2S sensing properties

Porous pure SnO2 and CuO/SnO2 composite nanofibers with the CuO content from 2 mol% to 30 mol% were synthesized via co-dissolution and electrospinning, followed by oxygen plasma treatment and annealing. The morphology and crystal structure of the nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The effects of the morphology and the CuO amount on the response and recovery characteristics of composite nanofibers to H2S have been investigated. The results show that nanofibers treated with oxygen plasma exhibit large response due to the highly porous structure. Compared with pure SnO2 nanofibers, porous CuO/SnO2 composite nanofibers with CuO adding amount of 5 mol% exhibit the enhanced response and selectivity toward low concentration H2S at 200 °C.