Ordered nanoporous SnO2 gas sensors with high thermal stability

We report the structural characterization and gas sensing properties of mesoporous SnO2 synthesized by structure replication (nanocasting) from ordered mesoporous KIT-6 silica. The products show a high thermal stability with no structural loss up to 600 °C and only minor decrease in specific surface area by 18% at 800 °C, as proven by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and nitrogen physisorption. In particular, the samples turn out to be much more stable than porous SnO2 materials prepared by sol–gel-based synthesis procedures for comparison. The thermal stability facilitates the utilization of the materials as sensors for combustible gases which react at high temperatures; test measurements reveal promising responses to methane (CH4) as an example.