Enhanced ethanol sensing performance of gel calcined Cd-Sn oxide nanocomposites

Cd-Sn oxide nanocomposite powders were synthesized by a facile gel calcination method, starting from precursor sol having Cd: Sn ratio as 2: 1. The powders were characterized in terms of their phase formation behaviour and morphological features using X-ray diffractometer, FTIR, UV-visible spectra and FESEM analyses. Sensor fabricated from nanocomposite calcined at 1050 degrees C exhibited excellent ethanol sensing performance, similar to 86 % for 50 ppm ethanol vapour. It also revealed quite a good sensitivity at concentration down to 5 ppm vapour. Sensors were quite stable and selective towards ethanol vapour. A possible mechanism for enhanced performance due to formation of preferential perovskite cadmium stannite phase has been discussed