Optimization of Firing Temperature of PbO-doped SnO2 Sensor for Detection of Acetone, Methanol, Propanol

Abstract

In the present work, the response of a set of three PbO (1 % wt) doped thick film SnO2 sensors fired at different firing temperatures (6500 C, 7500 C, 8500 C) have been studied. The selection of appropriate firing temperature is necessary for the sensor fabrication in order to achieve the highest sensitivity for a particular species of gas. To achieve this, thick film PbO-doped sensor were fabricated on a 1˝x1˝ alumina substrate. The sensitivity of these sensors has been studied at different operating temperatures (1500 C-3500 C) upon exposure to acetone, methanol and propanol. The sensor fired at 8500 C besides having good adhesion yields maximum sensitivity at an operating temperature of 2500 C for all gases except acetone for which it gives maximum response at 2000 C.

Keywords

• Thick film sensor
• Tin oxide
• Firing temperature
• Gas sensing mechanism