A novel alcohol detector based on ZrO2-doped SnO2 electrospun nanofibers

Abstract

To overcome the interference of acetone when detecting alcohol, a novel alcohol detector based on zirconia-doped SnO2 nanofibers were fabricated through electrospinning technique and calcination process. The samples have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and their gas sensing properties have also been investigated. When exposed to alcohol vapor, the nanofibers containing 15 mol% zirconia exhibit the best sensing properties. Moreover, the sensor holds the successful discrimination between acetone and alcohol, which makes our product a good candidate in fabricating highly selective sensors in practice. © 2009 The American Ceramic Society.