Characteristics of a Metal-loaded SnO₂/WO₃ Thick Film Gas Sensor for Detecting Acetaldehyde Gas

Characteristics of a Metal-loaded SnO₂/WO₃ Thick Film Gas Sensor for Detecting Acetaldehyde Gas

This study investigates the sensitivity of a gas sensor to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at various operating temperatures and catalysts. Nano-sized powdered $WO_3$ prepared by sol-gel and chemical precipitation methods was mixed with various metal oxides. Next, transition metals (Pt, Ru, Pd, and In) were doped on the surface of the mixture. Metal-$WO_3$ thick films were prepared using the screen-printing method. The physical and chemical properties of the films were studied by SEM/EDS, XRD, and BET techniques. The measured sensitivity to VOCs is defined as the ratio ($R_a/R_g$) of resistance ($R_{air}$) of $WO_3$ film in the air to resistance ($R_{gas}$) of $WO_3$ film in a VOCs test gas. The sensitivity and selectivity of the films were tested with various VOCs such as acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, methyl alcohol, and BTEX. The thick $WO_3$ film containing 1 wt % of Ru and 5 wt % of $SnO_2$ showed the best sensitivity and selectivity to acetaldehyde gas at an operating temperature of 300 $^{\circ}C$.