Synthesis, characterization and enhanced acetone sensing performance of Pd loaded Sm doped SnO2 nanoparticles

In the present Communication, we have presented a high performance acetone sensor based on Pd loaded Sm doped SnO2 nanomaterial. The (0.5, 1, 2 and 3) wt% Pd loaded 6 mol% Sm doped SnO2 nanoparticles were prepared using a co-precipitation method. The characterization of samples was done by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEG-SEM), Energy Dispersive Analysis by X-rays (EDAX), High Resolution-Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM) and Selective Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) techniques. The gas response studies such as sensitivity, selectivity and stability towards liquid petroleum gas, ammonia, ethanol and acetone were measured at 100 ppm concentrations. The results show that optimum Pd loading (2 wt%) results in smaller crystallite size (similar to 3.1 nm), lower operating temperature (200 degrees C), higher gas response (94%),better selectivity, faster response (similar to 3 s) and quicker recovery (similar to 12 s) towards acetone.