Modeling of hydrocarbon sensors based on p-type semiconducting perovskites

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2007 Feb 7;9(5):635-42. doi: 10.1039/b612965j. Epub 2006 Dec 7.

Abstract

In the scope of the present contribution, perovskite SrTi(1-x)Fe(x)O(3-delta) was investigated as a model material for conductometric hydrocarbon sensing at intermediate temperatures between 350 and 450 degrees C. To explain the observations made during sensor optimization in a quantitative way, a novel sensor model was proposed. At the microscopic scale, the local gas concentration affects local conductivity of the gas sensitive material. In the case of n-type tin oxide sensors, this interaction is commonly attributed to a redox reaction between the reducing analyte gas and adsorbed oxygen. In contrast, a reduction process affecting the entire bulk was assumed to govern gas sensitivity of SrTi(1-x)Fe(x)O(3-delta) films. Although very few variables needed to be assumed or fitted, the present bulk-type model was found to represent well sensor functionality of p-type conducting SrTi(0.8)Fe(0.2)O(3-delta) films. In addition to the temperature dependence of sensor response, the hydrocarbon sensitivity, m, was predicted with good accuracy. The different sensor responses towards hydrocarbons with a different chemical reactivity and other cross-interfering species, such as NO, was explained as well as the dependence on film thickness for screen printed films.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Carbonates / chemistry*
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electrodes
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry*
  • Hydrocarbons / chemistry*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Oxides / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Semiconductors
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Strontium / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties
  • Temperature
  • Titanium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Calcium Compounds
  • Carbonates
  • Ferric Compounds
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Oxides
  • perovskite
  • titanium dioxide
  • strontium carbonate
  • Titanium
  • Strontium