Selective detection of ethanol vapor using xTiO2–(1 − x)WO3 based sensor

The mechanical alloying of xTiO2–(1 − x)WO3 powder was achieved by high-energy ball milling at room temperature. The particle size, phase analysis and alcohol gas sensing properties of this material have been characterized using thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and gas sensing measurements. Screen-printed thick-film gas sensors made from mechanically alloyed materials demonstrate good sensitivity for 1000 ppm of ethanol gas in air at an operating temperature of 160 °C. Gas sensing behavior of this material to various other reducing gases such as CH4, CO and H2 has also been studied. This sensor shows good selectivity toward ethanol and could effectively be used as a breath sensor.