Electric and morphologic properties of SnO2 films prepared by modified sol-gel process

Tin dioxide (SnO2) is used in several technological applications such as sensors, catalysts, and electro-optical equipments. Many of these applications involve the use of SnO2 in the form of ceramic thin film. The preparation of SnO2 films has been widely studied and different methods have been proposed to synthesize pure or doped SnO2. In this work, SnO2 films produced by the modified sol-gel method, using tin tartrate as a precursor, are presented. The sol stability was verified using UV-visible spectroscopy. The obtained films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy, electrical measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray fluorescence (FRX). The obtained films presented a thickness of 0.3 mum and an amorphous structure. The sensor electrical sensibility at 300 degreesC in the presence of LPG was clearly shown. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.