EFFECT OF NOBLE-METALS ON SELECTIVE DETECTION OF LIQUID PETROLEUM GASBY SNO2

The present investigation deals with the electrical response of doped SnO2 to improve the selectivity for liquid petroleum gas (LPG) in the presence of CO and CH4 by utilizing noble metal sensitizers such as Pd , Pt, and Rh. SnO2 with the addition of Pd (1.5 wt.%) or Pt (1.5 wt.%) sintered at 800 degrees C which have shown high sensitivity toward LP G with no cross interference of CO and CH4 at an operating temperature of 350 degrees C. The results suggest the possibility of utilizing th e sensor for the detection of this hydrocarbon gaseous mixture. X-ray diffraction studies have been carried out to evaluate the crystallite size as a function of sintering temperature; x-ray photoelectron spect roscopy studies have been carried out to define the possible chemical species involved in the gas-solid interaction and the sensitivity enha ncing mechanism of the SnO2/Pd sensor element toward LPG.