The possibility of reducing the operating temperature of H2 gas sensor based on ZnO-In2O3 down to room temperature under green illumination is shown. It is found that sensitivity of ZnO-In2O3 composite to H2 nonmonotonically depends on the oxides’ content. The optimal ratio between the components is chosen. The new mechanism of nanocrystalline ZnO-In2O3 sensor sensitivity to H2 under illumination by green light is proposed. The mechanism considers the illumination turns the composite into nonequilibrium state and the photoconductivity change in the H2 atmosphere is linked with alteration of nonequilibrium charge carriers recombination rate.
The morphological features of nanostructured films of tin, zinc, indium, and cerium oxides are established. The parameters of electron traps, such as adsorbed oxygen atoms and structural defects, respon sible for the sensory effect are determined. An increase in the conductance of indium oxide films upon annealing in vacuum is revealed.
This review analyzes the studies published, mainly in the last 10–15 years, on the synthesis, structure, and sensor properties of semiconductor nanocomposites. Particular attention is paid to the interaction between nanoparticles of the sensitive layer, and its effect on the structure, sensitivity, and selectivity of semiconductor sensor systems. Various mechanisms of interaction between nanoparticles in metal oxide composites are considered, including the incorporation of metal ions of one component into the structure of another, heterocontacts between different nanoparticles, and core–shell systems, as well as their influence on the characteristics of gas sensors. The experimental data and studies on the modeling of charge distribution in semiconductor nanoparticles, which determine the conductivity and sensor effect in one- and two-component systems, are also discussed. It is shown that the model which considers the interactions of nanoparticles best describes the experimental results. Some mechanisms of detection selectivity are considered in the conclusion.
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