Amperometric gas sensors with detection limits in the low ppb range

• Published in: Analytica chimica acta Vol. 393; no. 1; pp. 43 - 48
• Main Authors: Hodgson, A.W.E, Jacquinot, P, Jordan, L.R, Hauser, P.C
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 30.06.1999; Elsevier
• Subjects: Amperometric gas sensors; Analytical chemistry; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Fruit storage; General, instrumentation; SPE electrodes; Trace analysis; Trace analysis; SPE electrodes; Fruit storage; Amperometric gas sensors; Performance evaluation; Sulfonate polymer; Membrane electrode; Porous electrode; Fluorine containing polymer; Cation exchange membrane; Polymer solid electrolyte; Chemical sensor; Gas detector; Electrochemical characteristic; Electrochemical detector
• ISSN: 0003-2670; 1873-4324
• DOI: 10.1016/S0003-2670(99)00189-0

Amperometric gas sensors for monitoring toxic and industrially important gases down to low ppb concentrations at room temperature are described. The design of the sensors is based on a porous electrode chemically deposited onto one side of a Nafion ® cation exchange membrane, which acts as the sensing electrode for the trace gas to be determined. The electrode is mounted into the cell with the sensing side in direct contact with the gas entry chamber and the bare Nafion side in contact with an internal electrolyte solution. It is shown that by careful selection of the experimental conditions the sensor may be tailored to the analysis of traces of gases such as sulphur dioxide, ethylene, ethanol, acetaldehyde and acetylene. The properties of this cell design are discussed, and the influences of parameters such as flow rate of the gas stream and humidity on the sensing behaviour are highlighted.