Hollow SnO2 Hemisphere Arrays for Nitric Oxide Gas Sensing

We present an easy method of preparing two-dimensional (2D) periodic hollow tin oxide ($SnO_2$) hemisphere array gas sensors using polystyrene (PS) spheres as a template. The structures were fabricated by the sputter deposition of thin tin (Sn) metal over an array of PS spheres on a planar substrate followed by calcination at an elevated temperature to oxidize Sn to $SnO_2$ while removing the PS template cores. The $SnO_2$ hemisphere array structures were examined by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The structures were calcined at various temperatures and their sensing properties were examined with varying operation temperatures and concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) gas. Their gas-sensing properties were investigated by measuring the electrical resistances in air and the target gases. The measurements were conducted at different NO concentrations and substrate temperatures. A minimum detection limit of 30 ppb, showing a sensitivity of S = 1.6, was observed for NO gas at an operation temperature of $150^{\circ}C$ for a sample having an Sn metal layer thickness corresponding to 30 sec sputtering time and calcined at $600^{\circ}C$ for 2 hr in air. We proved that high porosity in a hollow $SnO_2$ hemisphere structure allows easy diffusion of the target gas molecules. The results confirm that a 2D hollow $SnO_2$ hemisphere array structure of micronmeter sizes can be a good structural morphology for high sensitivity gas sensors.