Surface properties of Sn(IV)-Sb-O powders and sensor materials based on them

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron Auger spectroscopy have shown that the surfaces are covered by Sb{sup 3+} ions and have oxygen vacancies in powders of solid solutions in the Sn{sub 1{minus}x}-Sb{sub x}O{sub 2} system kept under the conditions of nonequilibrium synthesis, and the same applies to thick-film sensor materials based on them. These surfaces defects act as centers that provide sensitivity to gases and provide a basis for materials promising for use in gas sensor electronics.