Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2016) 131: 324
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2016-16324-y

Regular Article

Enhanced gas sensing correlated with structural and optical properties of Cs-loaded SnO₂ nanofilms

¹ PSG College of Arts and Science, 640014, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
² Nirmala Public School, 686661, Muvattupuzha, Kerala, India
³ Nanoscience Research centre (NSRC), Nirmala College, 686661, Muvattupuzha, Kerala, India

^* e-mail: nanoncm@gmail.com

Received: 20 April 2016
Accepted: 24 August 2016
Published online: 20 September 2016

Abstract

The Cs-loaded SnO₂ thin films were prepared by the spray pyrolysis technique and were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, impedance spectroscopy and conductometric method. Investigations based on the structural, optical and electrical properties confirm an enhanced gas sensing potential of cesium-loaded tin oxide films. It is found that the tin oxide thin film doped with 4% Cs with a mean grain size of 20 nm at a deposition temperature of 350 ^° C show a maximum sensor response of 97.5% for LPG consistently. It is also observed that the sensor response of Cs-doped SnO₂ thin films depends on the dopant concentration and the deposition temperature of the film.