Surface customization of SnO2 thick films using RuO2 as a surfactant for the LPG response

Thick films of pure, RuO2-doped and surface-customized SnO2 were prepared using screen-printing technique. The gas sensing properties of these films were systematically studied. The gas response of surface-ruthenated (surface customized using RuO2) SnO2 is observed to be larger than the responses of pure and RuO2-doped SnO2 to 1000 ppm LPG. The surface species (RuO2) exerts considerable influence on the gas response by modulating the adsorption characteristics. The selectivity for LPG against H-2, NH3, CO2 and H2S gases, response time and recovery time of the sensor were also studied. The results are interpreted. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.