Custom designed metal anchored SnO2 sensor for H2 detection

Herein, we report sputter deposited SnO2 thin film based sensor structures anchored with different metal clusters (Pt, Au, Cu, In, W and Cr) for efficient detection of H-2 gas. Controlled decoration of similar to 9 nm thin Pt clusters having 200 mu m dia on the top surface of SnO2 thin film exhibited dramatically outperformed results. The Pt/SnO2 sensor shows an improvement upto two orders in sensing response S similar to 1.68 x 10(2) towards 500 ppm of H-2 gas at a relatively low operating temperature of 110 degrees C. The sensor exhibited excellent gas sensing characteristics in the concentration range 2-5000 ppm H-2 at operating temperatures of 70-230 degrees C. The sensor revealed negligible cross sensing signals against other interfering gases like acetone, IPA, TCE, NO2, methane, LPG, petrol and NH3. The structural and surface morphological studies of SnO2 thin films were carried out. Reliability analysis and selectivity demonstration by Pt/SnO2 sensor was found to be consistent over long term. The work envisions towards realization of targeted H-2 detection system at low temperature. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.