Tuning SnO2 architectures with unitary or composite microstructure for the application of gas sensors

Different SnO2 architectures with unitary or binary structure were successfully assembled utilizing the assistance of Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). The microstructure, surface topography, specific surface area and gas sensing property were investigated with X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and WS-60A gas sensing apparatus, respectively. The sensing amplitude, selectivity, response time and recovery time were carefully studied. The possible mechanism of crystallization and gas sensing behavior were also discussed. The present study could be potentially applied to the ethanol or acetone detection and referenced by other researchers and engineers. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.