A tin dioxide (SnO2) thin film was prepared by metallorganic chemical vapor
deposition from a tetramethyl tin (Me4Sn) precursor. The characterization
of gas-sensing properties of trimethylamine (TMA) was reponed. The film was
almost insensitive to TMA. When doped with thorium, it was very sensitive
to TMA gas of very low level at working temperatures ranging from 200 to 36
0 degrees C, and the response and recovery times were very short. The optim
um range of the working temperatures was from 270 to 310 degrees C, which w
as very low as compared with calcined mixed powder of SnO2 and ruthenium. T
he concentration range of gaseous TMA of linear response was 10-300 ppm. (C
) 1999 The Electrochemical Society. S0013-4651(98)12-049-9. All rights rese
rved.