Abstract
Gas sensor materials capable of detecting hydrogen gases (H$_2$) or nitrogen oxides (NO$\_$x/, primarily NO and NO$_2$) with high sensitivity have attracted much interest in conjunction with the growing concern to the protection of global environments. Beside conventional sensor materials, such as semiconductors., conducting polymers and solid electrolytes, the potential of sensor materials with a new method for detecting hydrogen gases or nitrogen oxides gas has also been tested. The breakdown voltage of porous varistors shifted to a low electric field upon exposure to H$_2$ gas, whereas it shifted to a reverse direction in an atmosphere containing oxidizing gases such as O$_3$ and NO$_2$ in the temperature range of 300 to 600$^{\circ}C$. Furthermore, it was found that the magnitude of the breakdown voltage shift, i. e. the magnitude of sensitivity, was well correlated with gas concentration, and that the H$_2$ sensitivity was improved by controlling the composition of the Bi$_2$O$_3$ rich grain boundary phase. However, NO$\_$x/ sensing properties of porous varistors have not been studies in detail. The objective of the present study is to investigate the effect of the composition of the Bi$_2$O$_3$ rich grain boundary phase and other additive such as A1$_2$O$_3$ on the hydrogen gases (H$_2$) sensing properties of porous ZnO based varistors.
