Humidity sensing behavior of tin-loaded 3-D cubic mesoporous silica

The present scientific investigation deals with template synthesis of 3D-cubic mesoporous KIT-6 with in-situ loading of SnO2 to obtain a material with enhanced number of surface active sites. The structural insights have been reported through analysis of XRD, TEM, FESEM, N-2 sorption and mid-IR absorption data. X-ray diffraction confirmed 3D-cubic mesoporous structure of silica with Ia(3)over-bard symmetry and existence of anatase SnO2 species. A decrease in surface area on loading of SnO2 nanoparticles is revealed via analysis of N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms. Rapid response time of 15 s and super rapid recovery time of 2 s (with response > 100) have been exhibited by sensor based on sample containing 1 wt% of SnO2 . Further investigation on sensing performance of nanocomposite with 1 wt% of SnO2 confirmed its ohmic behavior (with negligible V-I hysteresis), excellent cycle stability, outstanding long term stability and very low hysteresis (1.4% at 53% RH).