Selective liquefied petroleum gas sensor based on nanocomposites of zinc chromium oxide

Sensitive and selective liquefied petroleum gas sensor based on nanocomposites of zinc chromium oxide has been reported in the present work. Nanocomposites of zinc chromium oxide were synthesized chemically by co-precipitation method and characterized for structural, surface, electrical, optical and gas sensing properties. XRD and XPS studies confirm the presence of different phases and oxidation states for zinc and chromium respectively. The morphology and specific surface area were obtained from FESEM, TEM and BET studies respectively. The sensor with 25/75 wt. % Zn/Cr composition exhibited high sensor response and good selectivity towards LPG at an optimum operating temperature of 300 °C. The enhanced sensor response and high selectivity to LPG is attributed to synergistic effects of two different sensing metal oxides possessing distinct catalytic properties, reduction in particle size and augmented surface area.