A facile approach of developing Al/SnO2 xerogels via epoxide assisted gelation: A highly versatile route for formaldehyde gas sensors

A robust synthesis approach to Al/SnO2 based formaldehyde gas sensing xerogels using epoxide assisted sol-gel chemistry is reported. The route utilizes simple tin and aluminum salt precursors in alcohol/water mixture, thus eliminating the need for organometallic precursors. Propylene oxide acts as a proton scavenger and drives metal hydroxide formation and subsequent polycondensation reactions. Al/SnO2 xerogels (with Al doping 1–4 mol%) were...