SnO2 having different surface areas were synthesized using a surfactant-tem
plating synthetic method. The effects of surface areas of the obtained SnO2
on their gas sensing and catalytic properties were investigated. interesti
ngly, a linear relationship was found between the surface areas of SnO2 and
their gas sensitivities to H-2 and CO. Furthermore, a linear relationship
was observed between the surface areas and the catalytic activities of SnO2
in the oxidation of H-2 and CO. Based on the fact that the mechanisms for
catalytic reactions and gas-sensing processes both involve surface adsorpti
on and reaction between surface-adsorbed oxygen species and surrounding gas
es (H-2 or CO), the relationship between these two mechanisms occurring on
SnO2 surfaces is discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reser
ved.