Temperature compensation of fluorescence intensity-based fiber-optic oxygen sensors using modified Stern–Volmer model

In practical sensing applications, temperature effects are of particular concern, and hence it is necessary to develop the means to correct the fluorescence intensity measurement in accordance with the working temperature. Accordingly, this study develops a modified Stern–Volmer model to compensate for the temperature drift of oxygen concentration measurements obtained using fiber-optic sensors. The oxygen sensors considered in this study are based on teraethylorthosilane (TEOS)/n-octyltriethoxysilane (Octyl-triEOS) or n-propyltrimethoxysilane (n-propyl-TriMOS)/3,3,3-trifluoropropyltrimethoxysilane (TFP-TriMOS) composite xerogels doped with platinum meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphine (PtTFPP).

The experimental results are fitted to the modified Stern–Volmer model in order to compute suitable values for a temperature compensation coefficient at different working temperatures. It is found that the proposed temperature compensation method reduces the difference in the oxygen concentration measurement for working temperatures in the range of 25–70 °C as compared to data without compensation. The linearity and sensitivity of PtTFPP-doped n-propyl-TriMOS/TFP-TriMOS sensor are better than PtTFPP-doped TEOS/Octyl-triEOS sensor for working temperatures in the range of 25–70 °C.

The proposed approach could provide a straightforward and effective means of improving the accuracy of fiber-optic oxygen sensors if a variable attenuator is designed according to the temperature compensation coefficient. Thus, the fiber-optic oxygen sensor with a variable attenuator could work in a broad temperature range without using a temperature sensor.     

Solid-state potentiometric SO2 sensor combining NASICON with V2O5-doped TiO2 electrode

A compact tubular sensor based on NASICON (sodium super ionic conductor) and V₂O₅-doped TiO₂ sensing electrode was designed for the detection of SO₂. In order to reduce the size of the sensor, a thick-film of NASICON was formed on the outer surface of a small Al₂O₃ tube; furthermore, a thin layer of V₂O₅-doped TiO₂ with nanometer size was attached on the NASICON as a sensing electrode. This paper investigated the influence of V₂O₅ doping and sintering temperature on the characteristics of the sensor. The sensor attached with 5 wt% V₂O₅-doped TiO₂ sintered at 600 °C exhibited excellent sensing properties to 1–50 ppm SO₂ in air at 200–400 °C. The EMF value of the sensor was almost proportional to the logarithm of SO₂ concentration and the sensitivity (slope) was −78 mV/decade at 300 °C. It was also seen that the sensor showed a good selectivity to SO₂ against NO, NO₂, CH₄, CO, NH₃ and CO₂. Moreover, the sensor had speedy response kinetics to SO₂ too, the 90% response time to 50 ppm SO₂ was 10 s, and the recovery time was 35 s. On the basis of XPS analysis for the SO₂-adsorbed sensing electrode, a sensing mechanism involving the mixed potential at the sensing electrode was proposed.     

Room temperature synthesis of γ-Fe2O3 by sonochemical route and its response towards butane

Nanocrystalline gamma iron oxide (γ-Fe₂O₃) has been synthesized at room temperature through sonication-assisted precipitation technique. The key in obtaining γ-Fe₂O₃ at room temperature lies in exploiting high-power ultrasound (600 W). The gas-sensing properties to n-butane of pure γ-Fe₂O₃ were investigated by studying the electrical properties of the sensor elements fabricated from the synthesized powder. The maximum response (90%) of the sensor to 1000 ppm n-butane at 300 °C can be explained on the basis of catalytic activity of the nanocrystallites. The response and recovery time of the sensor to 1000 ppm n-butane were less than 12 s and 120 s, respectively.     

Fabrication of gas sensing devices with ZnO nanostructure by the low-temperature oxidation of zinc particles

A method for low-temperature synthesis of a mixture of high-density ZnO nanoflakes and nanowires was developed to produce low-cost and high-efficiency gas sensors with ZnO nanostructures. ZnO nanoflakes and nanowires were grown on glass substrates by the RF sputter deposition of Zn particles and localized oxidation at a low temperature of 300 °C. The synthesized ZnO nanoflakes and nanowires were polycrystalline and had nanometer dimensions, as revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) measuring. A gas sensor based on the mixture of ZnO nanoflakes/nanowires responded rapidly and sensitively to ethanol. The sensing properties of the ZnO nanostructure sensor were approximately 72% for 50 ppm ethanol gas at an operating temperature of 100 °C. The response to 10 ppm of ethanol gas was 42% at the same temperature.     

Thionine immobilized in crosslinked chitosan films

Redox and acid–base properties of thionine immobilized in crosslinked chitosan films are analyzed. The experimental conditions for the preparation of the films are described. Results obtained with cyclic voltammetry, spectroelectrochemistry and spectrophotometry indicate that the immobilized dye retains the redox and acid–base activity of free thionine. An acid dissociation constant (K_a) for the immobilized dye of K_a = 2.7 × 10⁻¹¹ was obtained.

Due to the stable and reversible pH dependent optical signal of the studied film, this membrane can be used as a building component of an optical pH sensor.     

Impedancemetric gas sensor based on Pt and WO3 co-loaded TiO2 and ZrO2 as total NOx sensing materials

Pt-loaded metal oxides [WO₃/ZrO₂, MO_x/TiO₂ (MO_x = WO₃, MoO₃, V₂O₅), WO₃ and TiO₂] equipped with interdigital Au electrodes have been tested as a NO_x (NO and NO₂) gas sensor at 500 °C. The impedance value at 4 Hz was used as a sensing signal. Among the samples tested, Pt-WO₃/TiO₂ showed the highest sensor response magnitude to NO. The sensor was found to respond consistently and rapidly to change in concentration of NO and NO₂ in the oxygen rich and moist gas mixture at 500 °C. The 90% response and 90% recovery times were as short as less than 5–10 s. The impedance at 4 Hz of the present device was found to vary almost linearly with the logarithm of NO_x (NO or NO₂) concentration from 10 to 570 ppm. Pt-WO₃/TiO₂ showed responses to NO and NO₂ of the same algebraic sign and nearly the same magnitude, while Pt/WO₃ and WO₃/TiO₂ showed higher response to NO than NO₂. The impedance at 4 Hz in the presence of NO for Pt-WO₃/TiO₂ was almost equal at any O₂ concentration examined (1–99%), while in the case of Pt/WO₃ and WO₃/TiO₂ the impedance increased with the oxygen concentration. The features of Pt-WO₃/TiO₂ are favorable as a NO_x sensor that can monitor and control the NO_x concentration in automotive exhaust. The effect of WO₃ loading of Pt-WO₃/ZrO₂-based sensor is studied to discuss the role of surface W-OH sites on the NO_x sensing.     

Micromachined sol–gel carbon nanotube/SnO2 nanocomposite hydrogen sensor

A novel micromachined single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) reinforced nanocrystalline tin dioxide gas sensor has been developed. The presence of SWCNT in SnO₂ matrix was realized by a spin-on sol–gel process. The SWCNT/SnO₂ sensor's sensitivity for hydrogen detection has greatly increased by a factor of three, in comparison to that of pure SnO₂ sensor. The novel sensor also lowers the working temperature, response time and recovery time. The greatly improved performances are mainly attributed to the effective gas accessing nano passes through SWCNT plus the smaller distance between adjacent gas accessing boundaries formed by the distribution of tiny SWCNTs. Therefore, both the spatial requirement (D ≤ 2L, D is the distance between adjacent gas accessing boundaries and L is the space charge layer thickness) and surficial requirement (adequate gas activation area) are met and the maximum inherent sensitivity of SnO₂ is achieved.     

Mixed self-assembled lipopolymers with spacer lipids enhancing sensitivity of lipid-derivative QCMs for odor sensors

An odor sensing system using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor array and pattern recognition technique has been for years a main research topic in our group. For the general field of artificial olfaction using acoustic-wave based sensors such as QCMs it is vital to search for novel sensing materials. Here we present recent results of our ongoing study on application of pegylated lipids as coatings for QCM odor-sensors. The method presented herein is based on self-assembling of lipids and lipid-derivatives on the QCM surfaces. The disulphide-terminated lipids and lipopolymers are co-chemisorbed onto gold electrodes of QCM sensors by simple immersion in ethanolic solutions. This creates porous supports onto which additional layers of lipopolymers are physisorbed. The method allows for fabrication of lipopolymeric QCM odor-sensors with enhanced sensitivity to odorants, capable of very good discrimination among odorant samples—according to the functional group of an odorant.     

Chemical deposition of nanocrystalline nickel oxide from urea containing bath and its use in liquefied petroleum gas sensor

Nanocrystalline nickel oxide (NiO) was deposited onto glass substrates using a chemical deposition method from a bath containing nickel (Ni²⁺) ions and urea at 363 K. The deposition process was based on the reaction between Ni²⁺ and hydroxide ions released from the protolysis of ammonia formed in the decomposition of urea heated at 363 K, which caused to form nickel hydroxide. The structural properties of nickel oxide films were studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRD analyses showed that nanocrystalline nature remained after heating at 523 K for 2 h. Surface morphology of the nickel oxide film showed worm-like mesoporous structure with pore size in a nanometer range. The chemically deposited nickel oxide films were effectively used as a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sensor and the maximum response of 36.5% was recorded on exposure to 0.3 vol% of LPG at 698 K.     

Influence of Pd doping on morphology and LPG response of SnO2

In the present study nanocrystalline pristine and Pd-doped SnO₂ (Pd:SnO₂) with various mol% Pd have been synthesized by a modified Pechini citrate route. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction studies were used to characterize the morphology, crystallinity, and structure of the SnO₂ and Pd:SnO₂. The response of the pristine SnO₂ and Pd:SnO₂ was studied towards different reducing gases. The 1.5 mol% Pd doping showed an enhanced response of 75 and 95% towards LPG at as low as 50 and 100 °C, respectively, which were quite large high value as compared with pristine SnO₂ (38 and 35% at 50 and 100 °C, respectively). Structural characterization revealed that Pd doping reduced the crystallite size of SnO₂ and helps in the formation of distinct spherical nanospheres at a calcinations temperature of 500 °C. Thus the increase in LPG response can be correlated with the spherical morphology, a decrease in the crystallite size (11 nm) due to doping with Pd as compared with the pristine SnO₂ (26 nm) and main role of Pd as a catalyst.