Enhanced toluene gas-sensing properties of MEMS sensor based on Pt-loaded SnO2 nanoparticles

Abstract

Abstract Rapid detection of low concentration toluene is highly desirable in environment monitoring, industrial processes, medical diagnosis, etc. In this study, we prepared Pt-loaded SnO2 monodispersed nanoparticles through hydrothermal method and assembled a sensor based on micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) to detect toluene. Compared with the pure SnO2, the 2.92 wt% Pt-loaded SnO2 sensor exhibits a 2.75 times higher gas sensitivity to toluene at about 330 °C. Meanwhile, the 2.92 wt% Pt-loaded SnO2 sensor also has a stable and good response to 100 ppb of toluene. Its theoretical detection limit is calculated as low as 12.6 ppb. Also, the sensor has a short response time of ∼10 s to different gas concentrations, as well as the excellent dynamic response—recovery characteristics, selectivity, and stability. The improved performance of Pt-loaded SnO2 sensor can be explained by the increase of oxygen vacancies and chemisorbed oxygen species. The electronic and chemical sensitization of Pt to SnO2-based sensor, together with small size and fast gas diffusion of the MEMS design ensured fast response and ultra-low toluene detection. This provides new ideas and decent prospect for developing miniaturized, low-power-consumption, and portable application of gas sensing devices.