LPG sensing characteristics of electrospray deposited SnO2 nanoparticles

•SnO2 nanopowder was deposited on conductive substrates using ESD technique.•Solution flow rate, coating time, substrate–nozzle distance and solid/alcohol ratio were studied to optimize SnO2 film structure.•The gas sensing properties of tin oxide films were investigated using LPG.•The sensitivity of the films was increased with operating temperature.•The best sensitivity was observed for 20 LEL LPG at 450°C operating temperature. In this study, SnO2 films were fabricated on conductive substrate such as aluminum and platinum coated alumina using electro-spray deposition (ESD) method for gas sensor applications. Solution flow rate, coating time, substrate–nozzle distance and solid/alcohol ratio were studied to optimize SnO2 film structure. The morphology of the deposited films was characterized by stereo and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The gas sensing properties of tin oxide films were investigated using liquid petroleum gas (LPG) for various lower explosive limit (LEL). The results obtained from microscopic analyses show that optimum SnO2 films were evaluated at flow rate of 0.05ml/min, at distance of 6cm, for 10min deposition time, for 20gSnO2/Lethanol ratio and at 7kV DC electric field. By the results obtained from the gas sensing behavior, the sensitivity of the films was increased with operating temperature. The films showed better sensitivity for 20 LEL LPG concentration at 450°C operating temperature.