Self-Assembled Monolayers Coated Porous SnO₂ Film Gas Sensor with Reduced Humidity Influence

Abstract

Metal-oxide sensors, detect gas through the reaction of surface oxygen molecules with target gases, are promising for the detection of toxic pollutant gases, combustible gases, and organic vapors; however, their sensitivity, selectivity, and long-term stability limit practical applications. Porous structure for increasing surface area, adding catalyst, and altering the operation temperature are proposed for enhancing the sensitivity and selectivity. Although humidity can significantly affect the property and stability of the sensors, studies focusing on the long-term stability of gas sensors are scarce. To reduce the effects of humidity, 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H–perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (PFOTS) was coated on a porous SnO2 film. The interconnected SnO2 nanowires improved the high surface area, and the PFOTS coating provided superhydrophobicity at water contact angle of 159°and perfect water vapor repellency inside E-SEM. The superhydrophobic porous morphology was maintained under relative humidity of 99% and operating temperature of 300 °C. The CO gas sensing of 5, 20, and 50 ppm were obtained with linearity at various humidity. Flame detection was also achieved with practical high humidity conditions. These results suggest the simple way for reliable sensing of nanostructured metal-oxide gas sensors with high sensitivity and long-term stability even in highly humid environments.

Keywords

• self-assembled monolayers
• porous SnO₂ film
• CO sensing
• humidity
• superhydrophobicity
• water vapor repellency