Highly sensitive gas sensor based on coral-like SnO2 prepared with hydrothermal treatment

A novel sensor material of SnO2 nanocrystals with coral-like porous structures was prepared via a simple wet-chemical approach combining with an annealing process. The microstructure of obtained SnO2 powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and nitrogen adsorption-desorption experiment. We also investigated their gas sensing performance toward several volatile organic compounds. The obtained sample is found to show excellent sensing performances to the target ethanol owing to the nano coral-like structure providing many quick passages to absorb and desorb gas. Such an unexpected morphology holds substantial promise for rendering SnO2 as a potential gas sensing material for a broad range of future sensor applications. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.