CO Gas sensing properties of Zn2SnO4 thin films

This study investigates the structural, morphological, and gas-sensing properties of SnO2 and Zn2SnO4 thin films synthesized via magnetron-assisted physical vapor deposition (PVD-RMS). The samples analyzed were SnO2-R.T., SnO2¿500 ¿, Zn2SnO4-R.T., and Zn2SnO4¿500 ¿. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated that SnO2-R.T. is likely amorphous, whereas the remaining samples exhibited crystalline structures. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the formation of zinc stannate (Zn2SnO4) through Sn¿O-Sn and Zn¿O-Sn bonds. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that Zn2SnO4 films had greater roughness and porosity compared to SnO2, with film thicknesses ranging from 250 to 300 nm for SnO2 and 500¿600 nm for Zn2SnO4. These differences were attributed to thermal treatments and calcination processes, which influenced particle size, distribution, and agglomeration. Gas-sensing tests conducted at CO concentrations of 50, 100, and 166 ppm showed that Zn2SnO4¿500 ¿ demonstrated higher sensitivity and selectivity due to its smaller particle size, rougher surface, and uniform particle distribution. This study highlights the potential of Zn2SnO4 thin films, particularly those treated at room temperature, for detecting low concentrations of CO in gas-sensing applications. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.

CO Gas sensing properties of Zn2SnO4 thin films Academic Article in Scopus