Cadmium metavanadate mixed oxide nanorods for the chemiresistive detection of methane molecules

Mixed transition metal oxides (MTMOs) have recently been explored as building blocks for gas sensing applications due to their enhanced sensing characteristics. Here, we demonstrate the application of a co-sputtered V2O5-CdO thin film as a novel chemiresistive sensor for the detection of methane (CH4) gas. From X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies, the mixed phase was identified as polycrystalline cadmium metavanadate (CdV2O6), and from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies, the clear existence of V(5+)and Cd2+, corresponding to V2O5-CdO, was observed. The obtained mixed phase featured fused nanorod-like structure with similar to 450 nm thickness. By monitoring the sequential sensing characteristics over various temperature (RT-150 degrees C) and concentration (25-500 ppm) range, the optimum operating temperature (100 degrees C) was identified. The polycrystalline V2O5-CdO sensor exhibited a response of similar to 1.72% towards 25 ppm CH(4)at 100 degrees C. The use of evenly co-sputtered semiconductive (Cd(2+)and V5+) nanorods will provide advanced routes towards the development of various devices based on MTMOs.