High resolution photoemission study on SnO2 gas sensors

Abstract Pd-, Pt-doped and undoped SnO 2 gas sensors were studied by synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy (SRPES) and laboratory source UPS (ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy). Valence band spectra were recorded for photon energies of 60–120 eV (SRPES) and for 40.81 eV (UPS). The spectra were analyzed by factor analysis and generation of difference spectra. A comparison of the samples shows that the doping material of these sensors is not introducing additional states to the surface electronic structure within the limit of detection. This leads to the conclusion that the surfaces of the grains are not enriched with the metal additives.