ISSN print edition: 0366-6352
ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075
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Green sonochemical synthesis of tin (IV) oxide modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes for enhanced nitrogen dioxide sensing

S. Kiruthika, J. Uma, B. Balraj, and T. Jeeva

Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, M.Kumarasamy College of Engineering, Karur, India

Received: 12 December 2024 Accepted: 30 March 2025

Abstract:

Tin Oxide (SnO₂) decorated multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were effectively synthesized via a facile and environmentally friendly ultrasonic synthesis method; their selective nitrogen (NO₂) gas sensing properties were then investigated. X-ray diffraction identified the crystal structure as tetragonal rutile for SnO₂ nanoparticles. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images demonstrated the adornment of the SnO₂ nanoparticles on the surfaces of the MWCNTs. Surface SnO₂ nanoparticles measuring between 3 and 6 nm nanometers were detected on the MWCNTs. The number of SnO₂ nanoparticles adorned onto the MWCNTs has decreased as the concentration of MWCNTs has increased. Additionally, the photoluminescence and optical absorbance spectra of the nanocomposites provided confirmation that charge migrations were taking place at the interface between the MWCNT and SnO₂. The NO₂ gas sensing performance of the green ultrasonically synthesized SnO₂ nanoparticle-adorned on MWCNT (SnO₂/MWCNT) nanocomposite had shown higher responsivity to that of the pristine SnO₂ nanoparticles. The efficacy of the gas sensor demonstrated selectivity for NO₂ gas and shown the better sensitivity values at 200 °C onwards. The SnO₂/MWCNT nanocomposite exhibited favorable sensing characteristics, including high NO₂ detection capability (81% at 400 °C), rapid reaction time of 17 s, and brief recuperation time of 20 s.

Keywords: Carbon Materials; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterial; Nanoparticle Synthesis; Nanosensors; Carbon Nanotubes and Fullerenes; SnO2; MWCNTs; Sonochemical synthesis; Nitrogen dioxide sensing

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04048-x

Chemical Papers 79 (6) 3963–3975 (2025)

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