Drift analysis of a Pd loaded SnO2 based linalool sensor

Abstract

An approach has been made in this work to analyze sensitivity drift in a Pd decorated SnO₂ sensor developed for detection of linalool, a significant aroma compound in tea. Prior to the drift analysis, an attempt has been made to choose the optimum loading percentage of Pd in SnO₂ for linalool sensing. An inexpensive and simplistic hydrothermal method has been used to develop five different Pd decorated SnO₂ sensors (0.5 wt%, 2 wt%, 5 wt%, 6 wt% and 8 wt%) and compare their sensitivities when exposed to linalool vapour. The analysis has shown that 6 wt% exhibits better sensitivity (62.7%) towards Linalool at a relatively lower temperature (100 °C) as compared to all the other synthesized sensors. Henceforth, extensive experiments has been performed on the 6 wt% Pd decorated SnO₂ sensor for a period of one month to analyze its stability. Relative standard deviation and principal component analysis based drift analysis has been performed to understand its changing attributes under repeated measurements.