SnS-functionalized SnO2 nanowires for low-temperature detection of NO2 gas

Abstract We explored NO2 sensing performance of bare and SnS nanoparticle (NP)-functionalized SnO2 nanowires (NWs). The SnO2 NWs were synthesized and functionalization with SnS NPs was done by atomic layer deposition with subsequent annealing. The NO2 gas sensing results revealed that at temperatures up to 100 °C, the performance of the SnS-coated SnO2 NWs was better than bare SnO2 NWs. Moreover, the response time of SnS-coated SnO2 NWs to 2 ppm NO2 was 69 s at 100 °C, namely 9.1 times faster than that of bare SnO2 NWs. The sensing mechanisms related to the SnS-functionalized SnO2 gas sensor were proposed. The obtained results could present possibilities for the realization of low-temperature SnO2 NW-based gas sensors.