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

Vanadium oxide (V₂O₅) was successfully loaded on tin dioxide (SnO₂) 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% V₂O₅ loading on the SnO₂ nanoparticles. The improvement in performance was attributed to the role of V₂O₅ as an oxygen provider in the air atmosphere with combustible gas and the ability for V₂O₅ to undergo reduction. Thus, adding a catalytic metal oxide provides a simple way to overcome hydroxyl poisoning on a SnO₂ surface.