An introduction to the tin dioxide (SnO,) ceramic gas sensor and its electrical characterization is presented, followed by details of some methods of active material preparation. Problems of sensitivity, selectivity and their modification are then considered. The basic measurand is the conductance of the sensor, which means that the active material must always bridge a pair of electrodes; it must also
Often known as the tin dioxide or SnΟ 2 gas sensor, the stannic oxide sensor is one of a number of solid-state devices aimed at the detection and monitoring of a wide variety of gases [1,2]. These devices range from purely catalytic transducers typified by the Pellistor, which depends on small resistance changes in a heater element resulting from exothermic reactions at the surface, to silicon-based structures such as field-effect transistors sensitive to chemicals (ChemFETs), specific ions (ISFETs) and enzymes (EnFETs), to name but a few.The stannic oxide sensor is characterized by high sensitivity, robustness, longevity and low cost but poor (though improving) selectivity. Various versions are available, as are complete instruments which incorporate them.As is normal in sensor technology, the valid and efficient application of the stannic oxide sensor depends on the possession of an adequate background knowledge of its operation, characteristics and, in particular, its advantages and disadvantages.
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