Drift analysis of a Pd loaded SnO2 based linalool sensor

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 degrees 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.