Vanadium oxide loading on tin dioxide nanoparticles for improving gas detection in a humid atmosphere

Abstract Vanadium oxide (V 2 O 5 ) was successfully loaded on tin dioxide (SnO 2 ) nanoparticles using an impregnation method to improve the sensor response for detecting combustible gases in a humid atmosphere. As seen from field-emission scanning electron microscopy images, appropriate pores for gas diffusion are formed on the nanoparticles. The sensor response to combustible gases such as hydrogen and ethanol were evaluated at elevated temperatures in a humid atmosphere, showing clear improvement with 1 wt% V 2 O 5 loading on the SnO 2 nanoparticles. The improvement in performance was attributed to the role of V 2 O 5 as an oxygen provider in the air atmosphere with combustible gas and the ability for V 2 O 5 to undergo reduction. Thus, adding a catalytic metal oxide provides a simple way to overcome hydroxyl poisoning on a SnO 2 surface.