Proceedings of International Conference on Applied Innovation in IT
2026/03/31, Volume 14, Issue 1, pp.513-527

Data-Driven Analysis of Zinc Stannate Nanostructured Thin Films for Gas Sensing Applications


Karrar Saad. Mohammed, Jasim Mohammed Mansoor, Asaad Ahmed Kamil, Nabeel Ali Bakr, Tahseen Hussein Mubarak, Sorina Iftimie and Oana Brincoveanu


Abstract: This study employs Sol-gel spin coating technique to synthesize ZnSnO3 nanostructured thin films on quartz substrates, intended for application as gas sensors to H2S, NO2, and NH3. The films were optimized by adjusting the ZnO:SnO₂ ratio. A variety of characterization techniques are conducted to calculate the structural, optical, electrical, and sensing characteristics of the synthesized thin films. XRD and Raman spectroscopy confirmed that an increase in Zn (wt%) content relative to Sn (wt%) content results in a phase transition from tetragonal rutile to hexagonal ilmenite phases. XPS and EDS analyses showed the anticipated oxidation states of Sn4+, Zn2+, and O2−, demonstrating the existence of oxygen vacancy defects. AFM with FE-SEM imaging revealed the existence of rough, spherical nanostructures that enhance surface area. Optical investigations revealed band gaps ranging from 3.3 to 3.6 eV. Hall effect measurements revealed a notable increase in electrical conductivity, rising from 1.97 (Ω cm)-1 to 3.37 (Ω cm)-1, which was associated with improved sensing performance. The films exhibited sensitivities of 42.2% for NO2, 22.4% for H2S, and 21.4% for NH3 at room temperature, with corresponding response times of 27s, 19.8s, and 26s, respectively. At 100°C, sensitivities were recorded at 75.3% for NO2, 27.3% for H2S, and 13.1% for NH3, with corresponding response times of 25.2s, 16.2s, and 20.7s, respectively. The maximum sensitivity was recorded at 200°C, with the films demonstrating 75.6% for NO2, 36.8% for H2S, and 10.1% for NH3. The corresponding response times were 17.1s for NO2, 17.1s for H2S, and 25.2s for NH3, with detection limits of 81 (ppm) for NO2, 13 (ppm) for H2S, and 11 (ppm) for NH3. The findings suggest that porous ZnSnO3 thin films are viable options for hazardous gas detection.

Keywords: ZnSnO3, Thin Films, Sol-Gel, XPS, Halder-Wagner, RT Gas Sensitivity.

DOI: Under indexing

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