Enhancement in gas sensing performance of MoO3-loaded SnO2 sensor via improving adsorption and partial oxidation

• Published in: Sensors and actuators. B, Chemical Chemical, 2025-03, Vol.427, p.137176, Article 137176
• Main Authors: Yang, Haoyue, Suematsu, Koichi, Mitamura, Kohei, Yanagawa, Riki, Saito, Hikaru, Watanabe, Ken, Shimanoe, Kengo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Double-pulse-driven mode; Ethanol adsorption; Ethanol oxidation; MoO3-loaded SnO2; Resistive-type gas sensor
• ISSN: 0925-4005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2024.137176

A surface functionalization route utilizing MoO3-loading was employed to activate ethanol adsorption and partial oxidation on the surfaces of SnO2 nanoparticles for use as highly sensitive ethanol sensors. STEM-EDS mappings verified that the majority of Mo ions were dispersed and doped into the lattice of the SnO2 nanoparticles as foreign receptors. According to catalytic combustion measurements of ethanol on the SnO2 surface, the MoO3-loading process decreased the complete oxidation but improved the yield of intermediates by accelerating dehydrogenation at low temperatures (50–250 ℃). We evaluated the sensing properties in the double-pulse-driven mode using a microheater constructed via a micro-electronic-mechanical-system technique. The sensor response Sp to ethanol of the MoO3-loaded SnO2 microsensor, 496, was dramatically higher than that of the neat-SnO2 microsensor, 3. The outstanding sensing performance was mainly attributed to the improved partial oxidation of ethanol and enhanced ethanol adsorption capacity due to the introduction of Mo ions. The results provide promising insights into the material design for highly sensitive ethanol detection by controlling gas adsorption and combustion. [Display omitted] •Receptor effect of SnO2 using MoO3 on the sensing performance was investigated.•MoO3-loading improved the adsorption and partial oxidation of ethanol on SnO2 surface.•MoO3-loaded SnO2 sensor showed high sensitivity to ethanol by pulse-driven mode.