Response speed of SnO2-based H2S gas sensors with CuO nanoparticles

CuO nanoparticles on sputtered SnO2 thin-film surface exhibit a fast response speed (14 s) and recovery time (61 s) for trace level (20 ppm) H2S gas detection. The sensitivity of the sensor (Ssimilar to2.06x10(3)) is noted to be high at a low operating temperature of 130degreesC. CuO nanoparticles on SnO2 allow effective removal of excess adsorbed oxygen from the uncovered SnO2 surface due to spillover of hydrogen dissociated from the H2S-CuO interaction. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.