Porous flower-like SnO2 nanostructures as sensitive gas sensors for volatile organic compounds detection

Porous flower-like tin oxide (SnO2) nanostructure is prepared by annealing of the flower-like copper tin sulfur (Cu3SnS4) nanostructures. The morphology and crystal structure of the flower-like SnO2 nanostructures are characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The as-prepared porous flower-like SnO2 nanostructures exhibit a good response and reversibility to some organic vapors, such as toluene and formaldehyde. The sensing responses to 100 ppm of toluene and formaldehyde were 9.7 and 9.5, respectively. Moreover, the sensors exhibit a good response to benzene, methanol, ethanol, and acetone. The relationship between the gas-sensing properties and the microstructure of the as-prepared flower-like SnO2 nanostructures is also investigated. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.