Enhanced room temperature response of SnO2 thin film sensor loaded with Pt catalyst clusters under UV radiation for LPG

The room temperature response characteristics of SnO2 thin film sensor loaded with platinum catalyst clusters are investigated for LPG under the exposure of ultraviolet radiation. The SnO2-Pt cluster sensor structures have been prepared using rf sputtering. Combined effect of UV radiation exposure (lambda = 365 nm) and presence of Pt catalyst clusters (10 nm thick) on SnO2 thin film sensor surface is seen to lead to an enhanced response (4.4 x 10(3)) for the detection of LPG (200 ppm) at room temperature whereas in the absence of UV illumination a comparable response (similar to 5 x 10(3)) could be obtained but only at an elevated temperature of 220 degrees C. The present study therefore investigates the effect of UV illumination on LPG sensing characteristics of SnO2 sensors loaded with Pt clusters of varying thickness values. Results indicate the possibility of utilizing the sensor structure with novel dispersal of Pt catalyst clusters on SnO2 film surface for efficient detection of LPG at room temperature under the illumination of UV radiations. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.