Abstract
Indium doped $SnO_2$ thick films for gas sensors were fabricated by a screen printing method on alumina substrates. The effects of indium concentration on the structural and morphological properties of the $SnO_2$ were investigated by X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscope. The structural properties of the $SnO_2$:In by X-ray diffraction showed a (110) dominant $SnO_2$ peak. The size of $SnO_2$ particles ranged from 0.05 to $0.1\;{\mu}m$, and $SnO_2$ particles were found to contain many pores, according to the SEM analysis. The thickness of the indium-doped $SnO_2$ thick films for gas sensors was about $20\;{\mu}m$, as confirmed by cross sectional SEM image. Sensitivity of the $SnO_2$:In gas sensor to 2000 ppm of $CO_2$ gas and 50 ppm of H2S gas was investigated for various indium concentrations. The highest sensitivity to $CO_2$ gas and H2S gas of the indium-doped $SnO_2$ thick films was observed at the 8 wt% and 4 wt% indium concentration, respectively. The good sensing performances of indium-doped $SnO_2$ gas sensors to $CO_2$ gas were attributed to the increase of oxygen vacancies and surface area in the $SnO_2$:In. The $SnO_2$:In gas sensors showed good selectivity to $CO_2$ gas.
