In
previous studies, the selection of optimal gas-sensing materials
for detecting target gases mainly relied on their response value,
but other indices, such as the recovery capability of materials, have
usually been overlooked. Here, we propose a new method for evaluating
sensor effectiveness that includes a broader range of performance
indices. In this study, four gas sensors based on metal-oxide semiconductors
(WO3, CeO2, In2O3, and
SnO2) were used as examples, and their performance in the
detection of four decomposition products of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) was investigated. After gas-sensing experiments, values
for working temperature, response value, and recovery capability were
obtained. A multivariate evaluation method of mixing principal component
analysis, information entropy, and variation coefficient was developed
to calculate the weights of various indices, and the sensors’
optimal working temperatures could be identified quantitatively. Using
five variables (working temperature, response value, recovery capability,
fluctuation rate, and detection limit), we continued to apply this
multivariate evaluation method to calculate the weights and acquire
comprehensive scores for the four sensors. Finally, these scores were
used to identify the optimal materials for detecting SF6 decomposition products. This procedure has the potential for selecting
the best sensors for other gases.