Titanium dioxide thin films prepared for alcohol microsensor applications

Nanosized TiO2 thin films with different doping concentrations on alumina substrates were prepared using a sol–gel process for alcohol sensing. Experimental results indicated that the sensor is able to monitor alcohols selectively at ppm levels. The samples are insensitive (S<0.05) to interfering gases like benzene (10 ppm), CO (200 ppm), NO2 (6 ppm) at operating temperatures in the range of 300–500°C. Experimental results highlighted that the highest sensor response is at 400°C for methanol and at 500°C for ethanol and propanol.