Gas sensors based on Pd-decorated and Sb-doped SnO2 for hydrogen detection

Pd-modified Sb-doped SnO2 nanomaterials were prepared by a simple hydrothermal reaction and reduc-tion method. The as-obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron micro-scopy, X-ray phosphorescence, and elemental mapping analysis. The extracted results demonstrated even doping of Sb within the SnO2 lattice, and Pd was successfully incorporated on the surface of samples. Compared with the pristine SnO2, 3 mol% Sb doping with 7 wt% Pd decorating exhibited the highest response of 9.7 to 100 ppm H2 at 320 degrees C and revealed excellent selectivity and cycling stability to hydro-gen. The mechanism of the enhanced sensing performance of Pd@Sb-SnO2 can be attributed to the change in the energy band structure by Sb doping, the energy-band bending, and depletion layer generated with the Pd loading. The increased oxygen vacancy caused by the lattice distortion generated by the Sb doping, and the strong metal-support interaction effect between the Pd and SnO2 also plays an important role.(c) 2022 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.