Photochemical preparation of SnO₂ nanoparticles for application in alcohol sensor

SnO₂ nanoparticles were prepared by a photochemical method with different concentrations of PVP as surfactant. The PVP can put regular impact on the size of the particles and the corresponding sensing response to alcohol gas. The optimized sensor of the SnO₂ nanoparticles could exhibit a response of ∼21 to 50 ppm alcohol at 270 °C, which is more than 2-folds of that without PVP. The sensor also had excellent stability, repeatability and concentration linear, exhibiting good practicality in alcohol detection. The method is easily-manipulated, low-cost and green for obtaining a gas sensing material.