Chemical modification of nanocrystalline tin dioxide for selective gas sensors

Chemical methods for enhancement of the selectivity of semiconductor metal oxide gas sensors are considered taking SnO$_{2}$ as an example. Theoretical concepts concerning correlations between the metal oxide chemical composition, crystal structure, surface morphology and the oxide surface reactivity are discussed. Application of such concepts to the design of novel, highly selective sensor materials based on nanocrystalline SnO$_{2}$ is discussed in detail. Experimental data on the determination of the chemical composition, structure, activity in gas–solid chemical interaction and the sensor properties of such materials are analyzed. The applicability of modern concepts of the chemical activity of the surface in gas–solid reactions to the design of novel metal oxide sensor materials with enhanced selectivity is substantiated.
Bibliography — 133 references.