CuO-modified tin titanate thick film resistors as H2-gas sensors

Thick films of pure and CuO-modified tin titanate-Sn0.8Ti0.2O2 (TT) were prepared by screen printing technique. Unmodified TT showed poor sensitivity while CuO-modified TT showed high sensitivity to H-2 gas. The CuO-modified TT films were obtained by dipping them into an aqueous solution of copper chloride for different intervals of time and fired at 500(degrees)C for 30 min. The copper chloride transforms into copper oxide upon firing. A relatively large amount of oxygen would be adsorbed on the CuO-modified TT and resulted in the buildup of potential barriers between the grains. Upon exposure to 1000 ppm H-2 gas, the barrier height would decrease markedly due to oxidation leading to a drastic decrease in resistance and giving high sensitivity to H-2 gas. High sensitivity was found to H-2 gas at 400(degrees)C and no cross response was observed to LPG, NH3, C2H5OH, CO2 and Cl-2 gases. The instant response (similar to 15 s) and fast recovery (similar to 45 s) are the main features of this sensor. The effects of microstructure and concentration of the CuO additive on the gas response, selectivity, response time and recovery time were studied and discussed. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.