Microstructural, electrical and hydrogen sensing properties of F-SnO2 nanoparticles

Fluorine-doped tin oxide (F-SnO<inf>2</inf>) nanoparticles were prepared via the "benzyl alcohol route" assisted by microwave radiation. The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and impedance spectroscopy. The synthesized F-SnO<inf>2</inf> nanoparticles showed a high degree of crystallinity and rather uniform size and shape. They were used as sensing layer in resistive sensors and their sensing properties towards H<inf>2</inf> were tested. The developed sensor showed high sensitivity upon exposure to H<inf>2</inf> gas, in the concentration range 0 - 4 % in air, and extremely fast response and recovery time.