A novel methane sensor based on porous SnO2nanorods: room temperature to high temperature detection

We report for the first time a novel room temperature methane (CH4) sensor fabricated using porous tin oxide (SnO2) nanorods as the sensing material. The porous SnO2 nanorods were synthesized by using multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as templates. Current versus time curves were obtained demonstrating the room temperature sensing capabilities of the sensor system when exposed to 0.25% CH4 in air. The sensor also exhibited a wide temperature range for different concentrations of CH4 (25–500 °C), making it useful in harsh environments as well.