New generation amperometric gas sensors
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Oxford Chemistry
Abstract
The need for measurements of chemical is ubiquitous. This project proposes entirely new concepts to transform the performance of electrochemical gas sensors - for which the world market is estimated at 1.5 billion annually, with applications in environmental monitoring, automotive emission control, industrial safety and medical treatment.Consultants Frost and Sullivan say 'a general demand from the end user is for an instrument that is smaler in size, cheaper in price, and veratile in functionality'. Electrochemical methods are widely used especially where low cost, compact and low power sensors are needed. Such sensors are also highly suitable where reliable, remote monitoring is needed. Illustrative examples of applications include CO detectors in smoke alarms, oxygen sensors, chlorine sensors used in water treatment, hydrogen sulphide and nitrogen dioxide sensors used in environmental monitoring and ozone sensors used in atmospheric sensing.Current electorchemical sensors were based on a design developed as long ago as 1956! Discussions with manufacturers and users of gas sensors have convinced the applicants of an urgent need for a new generation of amperometric sensors. It is the purpose of the work suggested in this proposal to provide these new sensors by using the special properties of liquids composed entirely of ions (charged particles) in combination with electrodes of the tiniest size possible to make much faster respondig sensors, much longer lived sensors, sensors which have no need for calibration and sensors which can be easily used at low and high temperatures.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Richard Guy Compton (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Huang X
(2008)
Electroreduction of Chlorine Gas at Platinum Electrodes in Several Room Temperature Ionic Liquids: Evidence of Strong Adsorption on the Electrode Surface Revealed by Unusual Voltammetry in Which Currents Decrease with Increasing Voltage Scan Rates
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Huang XJ
(2009)
The reduction of oxygen in various room temperature ionic liquids in the temperature range 293-318 K: exploring the applicability of the Stokes-Einstein relationship in room temperature ionic liquids.
in The journal of physical chemistry. B
Huang XJ
(2009)
Microelectrode arrays for electrochemistry: approaches to fabrication.
in Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Rogers E
(2009)
Investigating the Mechanism and Electrode Kinetics of the Oxygen|Superoxide (O 2 |O 2 •- ) Couple in Various Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids at Gold and Platinum Electrodes in the Temperature Range 298-318 K
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Description | Gas sensors are of wide importance in relation to safety, the environment and healthcare (e.g. anaesthesia). The findings have significantly improved the range of gases that can be detected as well as improving sensitivity, specificity and cost. |
Exploitation Route | Manufacturers of gas sensors will (are) employ(ing) the results. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Energy,Environment,Healthcare |
Description | We have established major collaborators with (a) Schlumberger (http://www.slb.com/) and (b) Honeywell (http://www.honeywellanalytics.com/en-gb) to translate our findings into consumer products |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Energy,Environment,Healthcare |
Impact Types | Societal,Economic |