Response speed of SnO2-based H2S gas sensors with CuO nanoparticles

CuO nanoparticles on sputtered SnO2 thin-film surface exhibit a fast response speed (14 s) and recovery time (61 s) for trace level (20 ppm) H2S gas detection. The sensitivity of the sensor (S∼2.06×103) is noted to be high at a low operating temperature of 130 °C. CuO nanoparticles on SnO2 allow effective removal of excess adsorbed oxygen from the uncovered SnO2 surface due to spillover of hydrogen dissociated from the H2S–CuO interaction.