Effect of metal modifiers on the characteristics of resistive hydrogen sensors based on thin films of tin dioxide

This work presents the results of investigation of the effect of the complex modifiers of Ag + Y introduced into bulk of SnO2 thin films on the properties of hydrogen sensors and the stability of the devices at long-term test. Two types of the films with different deposited on the surface dispersed catalysts Pt/Pd/SnO2:Sb, Ag, Y and Ag/SnO2:Sb, Ag, Y were studied. It is shown that additives of Ag, Y in the presence Pt/Pd on the surface provide the maximum values of the response to hydrogen at the temperature 670 K. In the case of the deposited catalytic Ag the response to hydrogen is considerably lower and the temperature of the maximum response > 713 K. A common feature of two types of the films is the high stability of their properties under the periodical influence of hydrogen in long-term tests.