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Electrochemical sensors
Working principle
Target gas molecules that come in contact with the sensor first
pass an anti-condensation membrane which serves also as a
protection against dust
When the gas diffuses through the membrane and into the working
electrode, an electrochemical reaction occurs, either an oxidation
or reduction depending upon the type of gas molecules
A MEMBRAPOR
Hydrophobicgas
electrochemical
sensor works
as follows:
membrane
(semipermeable
membrane)
is used
to an an
For example, CO can be oxidised to CO2 or O2 can
be reduced
to come in
molecules
that
contact with
the sensor
first pass
control the amount of gas reaching
H2O
condensation membrane which serves also as a protection aga
the electrode surface
An oxidation reaction results in the flow of electrons
fromthe
thegas molecules
Then
diffuse
a capillary,
potentially
These
arethrough
usually teflon
membranes
working electrode to the counter electrode through the external
porosity
subsequent filter, andwith
thenlow
through
a hydrophobic membrane
circuit
surface structure of the sensing electrode. There the molecules
Conversely, a reduction reaction results in the flow of electrons
from counter electrode to the working electrode immediately oxidized or reduced on active catalytic sites, cons
Working principle
Working
Principle
By optimizing the pathway, in accordance with
the desired
measurement range, an adequate electrical signal is obtained
combustion streams in giant chemical plants and refineries to insure safe and economical
All types of electrochemical transducers have three
operation
major component parts; an anode, a cathode, and an
In O2 sensor,
trochemical transducer.
onverts one form of
e, a loudspeaker is a
ical energy into
In basic
microphone is a
PbO)
al of this; mechanical
al energy.
The
CO electrochemical
sensor
Figaro Electrochemical-type gas sensor
are amperometric fuel cells with
two electrodes. The basic components of two electrode gas sensors are a
in
them. When
toxic gas
such and
as carbon
monoxide
The three electrodes are thebetween
working electrode,
the reference
electrode,
the counter
electrode (CO) comes in
contact
with
the working
electrode, oxidation of CO gas will occur on the
Operating
-Electrochemical-type
sensor
7/11/16
The working electrode is made
ofprinciple
platinum,
which is agas
catalytic
metal to CO (it catalyzes the oxidation of CO
working but
electrode
through
chemical
reaction with water molecules in the
to CO2), backed by a gas-permeable
hydrophobic
(water-proof)
membrane
shortEquation
circuit will
protons (H+) generated on the working electrode to
airthe(see
1).allow
The CO gas diffuses through
porous membrane
and is electrochemically oxidized
Operating principle
-Electrochemical-type
gas counter
sensor
7/11/16, 8(57 a
flow
toward the
electrode through the ion conductor. In addition,
+ + 2e- 1
CO generated
+ H2O electrons
CO2 2Hmove
to the counter electrode through the external
short circuit will allow protons (H+) generated on the working electrode to
wiring. A reaction
oxygen
in the air
will occur
onthe
the
counter electrod
The electrons involved in the electrochemical
reactionwith
flow from
the working
electrode
through
external
flow
toward
electrode
through
the
ion conductor.
Inthrough
addition,a
circuit, producing the output
signal
of thethe
sensor
Connecting
thecounter
working
electrode
and the
counter
electrode
(see Equation
2).
generated electrons move to the counter electrode through the external
A counter-electrode (CE) is provided to complete the circuit of the electrochemical cell. The counter electrode
+electrons
wiring.
A reaction
with
in2Othe
on the counter electrode Pa
functions solely as thehttp://www.figaro.co.jp/en/technicalinfo/principle/electrochemical-type.html
second
half-cell,
and
orair
leave
theoccur
electrolyte
1/2
O2 allows
+ 2H
+oxygen
2e- toHenter
2will
(see Equation 2).
The reaction with O2 in the air would occur at the counter electrode (other half cell reaction)
The overall reaction is shown in Equation 3. Figaro Electrochemical-type
+ + 2e- H O 2
1/2
gas O
sensor
operate
like a2 battery with gas being the active material for this
2 + 2H
overall battery reaction.
The overall cell reaction would be
The overall reaction is shown in Equation 3. Figaro Electrochemical-type
gas sensor
battery
with gas being the active material for this
CO + operate
1/2 Olike
2 aCO
2 3
overallwith
battery
reaction.
The CO sensor is also equipped
a chemically
selective filter
By measuring the current between the working electrode and the counter
This filter removes potentially interfering gases before they reach the working electrode. With the filter
CO +electrode,
1/2 Othis
CO2 3
electrochemical
cell
can be utilized as a gas sensor.
2
operating properly the sensor will
have minimal
response
to interfering
gases
The carbon monoxide sensor consists of three electrodes immersed in a liquid electrolyte (a non-metallic
liquid that conducts electricity,
usually(sensing)
through acids
or dissolved
salts)
working
electrode,
a counter
electrode, and an ion conductor
By measuring
the current
between
theCO
working
electrode and the counter
Theoretical
equation
for
detection
By measuring the current between the working electrode and the counter
electrode, this electrochemical cell can be utilized as a gas sensor.
In order
to measure
the sensors
Theoretical
equation
for CO detection
output current, it must be
In order
measure
the sensors
output
connected
totoan
external
circuit
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