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On the mass action law and the power law response in tin dioxide gas sensors

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Abstract

The electrical resistance of gas sensors, based on polycrystalline metal-oxide semiconductors, obeys a power-law response with the pressure of different gases (R ~ pγ). The exponent γ can be derived resorting to the mass action law and its value depends on chemical reactions that take place at the surface of the grains. To explain the gas sensitivity, we revisit two conceptual models, regularly used in the literature: the ionosorption and the vacancy models. We show that they predict different values for the exponent γ. Also, the consequences of considering the bulk oxygen vacancies as deep levels are analyzed. Comparison of γ values obtained from both conceptual models with those found in experiments can indicate what mechanisms are possible to occur.

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Acknowledgements

This work was partially supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) of Argentina, and the National University of Mar del Plata (Argentina). C.M.A. acknowledges invaluable discussions with Professor Chris Blackman.

Funding

This work was partially supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) of Argentina and the National University of Mar del Plata (Argentina).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Scientific and Technological Research in Electronics (ICYTE), University of Mar del Plata and National Research Council (CONICET), Juan B. Justo 4302, B7608FDQ Mar del, Plata, Argentina

    Daniel A. Mirabella & Celso M. Aldao

  2. Institute of Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA), University of Mar del Plata and National Research Council (CONICET), Av. Colón 10850, B7606FWV Mar del, Plata, Argentina

    Paula M. Desimone

Authors
  1. Daniel A. Mirabella
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  2. Paula M. Desimone
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  3. Celso M. Aldao
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Contributions

Conceptualization, D.A. Mirabella, P.M. Desimone, and C.M. Aldao; investigation, D.A. Mirabella, P.M. Desimone, and C.M. Aldao, writing original draft preparation D.A. Mirabella and C.M. Aldao; writing review and editing, D.A. Mirabella, P.M. Desimone, and C.M. Aldao; funding acquisition, C.M. Aldao. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Celso M. Aldao.

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Mirabella, D.A., Desimone, P.M. & Aldao, C.M. On the mass action law and the power law response in tin dioxide gas sensors. J Electroceram (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10832-024-00351-3

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