Synthesis of SnO2 nanoparticles and their application on gas sensors

The tin and tin oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by organometallic compound route. Decomposition of the organometallic precursor [Sn(N(CH3)(2))(2)](2) in a controlled condition leads to the formation of monodisperse nanoparticles Sn/SnOx. The microstructures of the particles before and after oxidation were analyzed by transmission electron microscope (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), and X-ray diffraction. The results indicate that the regular Sn/SnOx particles consist of a well-crystallised tin core covered with an amorphous layer of tin oxide. Full oxidation of the particles into SnO2 by heating in the air doesn't change the size and the morphology. Nano-particulate tin dioxide gas sensor was prepared by drop depositing of SnO2 nanoparticles on to silicon platform, which was created by classical integrated circuits technology, and sintering into porous sensitive layer in situ on test system. The response of SnO2 nanoparticle gas sensor to CO gas was performed by measuring the resistance of the sensor on test system on 60ppm and 200ppm levels. The sensor shows relatively high sensitivity to tested carbon monoxide.