Controlled SnO2 nanostructures for enhanced sensing of hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen dioxide

Abstract

Metal oxide semiconductors have garnered increasing attention in gas sensing applications due to their excellent sensitivity and stability under extreme conditions. In this study, we explore the potential of tin oxide (SnO 2 ) thin films fabricated via a facile spray coating method to be used as efficient gas sensor devices. Our developed SnO 2 -based devices exhibit superior electrical conductivity, strong optical absorption and robust sensing performances. Specifically, the SnO 2 devices show a rapid and linear sensing response towards NO 2 and H 2 S sour gases, achieving a high relative sensing response of 13.1, with sensing response and recovery times of 17 s and 5 s, respectively. These findings underscore the SnO 2 thin film capabilities as highly efficient and versatile sensing material for next generation gas sensor technologies. • SnO2 films were prepared successfully via spray coating by Taguchi experiment design. • SnO2 thin films exhibited exceptionally high electrical conductivity. • They demonstrated fast responses to NO2 and H2S gas for various concentrations. • At elevated temperature, the sensing properties were further enhanced. • These performances are attributed to its optimized morphology and electron transport.