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Preparation, characterization and gas sensor performance of nanocrystalline nickel-doped SnO2 films

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Abstract

In the present study, the effect of annealing temperature on structural, morphological, optical, and gas-sensing properties of the undoped and Ni-doped SnO2 films was thoroughly investigated by different identification methods. The XRD results indicate a tetragonal structure with (101) preferred orientation in all prepared films and the estimated crystallites size was found in the range of 15–29 nm that verified the formation of nanocrystals in the films. FESEM and AFM images reveal that the surface morphology of films is homogeneous with good adhesion to the substrate. The photoluminescence spectra of the samples show six prominent emission peaks centered at 373, 422, 461, 487, 530, and 600 nm. Additionally, all prepared films were evaluated for gas sensor applications at different operating temperatures and methanol gas concentrations. It was found that annealing temperature effectively influenced the sensor response of Ni-doped SnO2 based on methanol gas sensors. In addition, the best sensing response was observed at an annealing temperature of 500 °C. Finally, the sensor selectivity based on Ni-doped SnO2 annealed at 500 °C was tested for different gases.

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The original data during the current study are available from the corresponding author at a reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their profound gratitude to Mrs. Saadat Niavol for her valuable assistance in sensor analysis.

Funding

This work was carried out with the support of the Islamic Azad University, Karaj branch.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran

    Shima Khosravani, Fatemeh Hajakbari & Alireza Hojabri

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  1. Shima Khosravani
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  2. Fatemeh Hajakbari
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  3. Alireza Hojabri
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All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. The processing of data was performed by all authors. All authors discussed the results and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Fatemeh Hajakbari.

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Khosravani, S., Hajakbari, F. & Hojabri, A. Preparation, characterization and gas sensor performance of nanocrystalline nickel-doped SnO2 films. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 34, 1515 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-023-10939-0

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