Self-Assembled Monolayers Coated Porous SnO2 Film Gas Sensor with Reduced Humidity Influence

Metal-oxide sensors, detect gas through the reaction of surface oxygen molecules with target gases, are promising for the detection of toxic pollutant gases, combustible gases, and organic vapors; however, their sensitivity, selectivity, and long-term stability limit practical applications. Porous structure for increasing surface area, adding catalyst, and altering the operation temperature are proposed for enhancing the sensitivity and selectivity. Although humidity can significantly affect the property and stability of the sensors, studies focusing on the long-term stability of gas sensors are scarce. To reduce the effects of humidity, 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (PFOTS) was coated on a porous SnO2 film. The interconnected SnO2 nanowires improved the high surface area, and the PFOTS coating provided superhydrophobicity at water contact angle of 159 degrees and perfect water vapor repellency inside E-SEM. The superhydrophobic porous morphology was maintained under relative humidity of 99% and operating temperature of 300 degrees C. The CO gas sensing of 5, 20, and 50 ppm were obtained with linearity at various humidity. Flame detection was also achieved with practical high humidity conditions. These results suggest the simple way for reliable sensing of nanostructured metal-oxide gas sensors with high sensitivity and long-term stability even in highly humid environments.

Automated summary

This study proposes a method to achieve high sensitivity and long-term stability of metal-oxide gas sensors in highly humid environments, by increasing surface area, adding catalyst, and altering operation temperature. The use of PFOTS coating on porous SnO2 film results in superhydrophobicity and maintains this morphology under high humidity conditions and operating temperature, improving sensor performance.