Enhanced ethanol sensing performance of gel calcined Cd–Sn oxide nanocomposites

Cd–Sn oxide nanocomposite powders were synthesized by a facile gel calcination method, starting from precursor sol having Cd:Sn ratio as 2:1. The powders were characterized in terms of their phase formation behaviour and morphological features using X-ray diffractometer, FTIR, UV–visible spectra and FESEM analyses. Sensor fabricated from nanocomposite calcined at 1050 °C exhibited excellent ethanol sensing performance, ~86 % for 50 ppm ethanol vapour. It also revealed quite a good sensitivity at concentration down to 5 ppm vapour. Sensors were quite stable and selective towards ethanol vapour. A possible mechanism for enhanced performance due to formation of preferential perovskite cadmium stannite phase has been discussed.