ZnO–Ag ceramics for ethanol sensors

The structure and electrical properties of the ZnO–Ag (0.001–3 wt%) ceramics in air and in air with the ethanol addition are studied. It was found that electrical parameters are sensitive to the concentration of ethanol in air due to a decrease in the barrier height at the grain boundaries. Silver addition causes a decrease in the density of material due to the formation of Ag inclusions. This can be the main reason of higher sensitivity to ethanol observed in ZnO–Ag ceramics in comparison with other ZnO–based ceramics.