Ethanol Sensor on Nano-crystalline LaFe_1-xCo_xO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) Perovskite Oxides

Abstract

This paper reported the influence of Co³⁺ ion on gas-sensing properties of LaFe_1-xCo_xO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) thick films. The nano-crystalline LaFe_1-xCo_xO₃ oxides were prepared by sol-gel citrate method. A detailed discussion of the structural and microstructural changes of these materials due to the variation of Co³⁺ ions is proposed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD)-O₂ studies. The sensing characteristics to ethanol of the LaFe_1-xCo_xO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) perovskite films were strongly dependent on the Co-contents. The maximum sensitivity was obtained in the film having composition of LaFe_0.6Co_0.4O₃. In addition, the correlation between the different oxygen states also influenced on the ethanol sensing properties. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2012.252]