Hydrogen sensing under ambient conditions using SnO₂ nanowires: synergetic effect of Pd/Sn codeposition.
Semiconducting SnO2 nanowires deposited with Pd and Sn nanoparticles on their surface are shown to be a highly sensitive hydrogen sensor with fast response time at room temperature. Compared with the SnO2 nanowire deposited with Pd or Sn nanoparticles alone, the Pd/Sn-deposited SnO2 nanowire exhibits a significant improvement in the sensitivity and reversibility of sensing hydrogen gas in the air at room temperature. Our investigation indicates that two factors are responsible for the synergistic effect of Pd/Sn codeposition on SnO2 nanowires. One is that in the presence of Pd the oxidation of Sn nanoparticles on the surface of the SnO2 nanowire is incomplete leading only to suboxides SnOx (1 ≤ x < 2), and the other is that the surface of the Pd/Sn-deposited SnO2 nanowire is almost perfectly hydrophobic.
Department of Physics, Yonsei University , Seoul, 120-749, Republic of Korea.
Seung Ho
SH
Jeong
Sol
S
Kim
Junho
J
Cha
Min Soo
MS
Son
Sang Han
SH
Park
Ha-Yeong
HY
Kim
Man Ho
MH
Cho
Myung-Hwan
MH
Whangbo
Kyung-Hwa
KH
Yoo
Sung-Jin
SJ
Kim
D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D053770:Nanowires / Q000737:chemistry*; D012666:Semiconductors; D017971:Tin Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
D017971:Tin Compounds; D006859:Hydrogen; C045358:stannic oxide