Enhanced electrochemical performance and humidity sensing properties of Al3+ substituted mesoporous SnO2 nanoparticles

The present work demonstrates that the capability of Al3+ ions as a dopant in the mesoporous tin dioxide (SnO2) nanopowders for humidity sensor and electrochemical applications. Al3+ ions substituted mesoporous SnO2 were prepared by facile hydrothermal method. The influence of Al3+ ions concentration on structural, morphological, optical and electrochemical properties of mesoporous SnO2 were studied in detail using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Brunner-Emmett-Teller (BET), Ultra Violet-visible (UV vis.) absorption spectroscopy, Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies. The electrochemical results indicated that a good electrochemical performance and it can be used in energy storage devices. Besides, higher percentage of Al3+ ions enhanced on the humidity sensitivity at different temperatures and the material exhibit excellent characteristics as humidity sensor. The resistance value decreases with increase of Al3+ ions doping. The increase of humidity sensing response with the increase of Al3+ doping concentration, due to increase of surface area and porosity, which showed the sensing response time and recovery time around 87s and 64s, respectively, and it revealed that the sample has quick response and recovery time. The stability study confirms the Al3+ ions substituted SnO2 (x = 0.05) sample showed good stability as a humidity sensor.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the capability of Al3+ ions as a dopant in mesoporous SnO2 nanopowders for humidity sensor and electrochemical applications. By controlling the concentration of Al3+ ions, the material shows excellent structural, morphological, optical, and electrochemical properties, with quick response and recovery time in humidity sensing applications.