Peter Scharner

Influence of catalytic activity on semiconducting metal oxide sensors I. experimental sensor characteristics and their qualitative interpretation

Abstract The influence of the catalytic activity of semiconductive metal oxides, working as chemical gas sensors, on their conductance G is studied in synthetic N2O2CO mixtures and in exhaust gases of engines. Doped and undoped Cr2O3, ZnO, Mn2O3, SnO2 and CeO2 specimens show a correlation between the sensor characteristics (G versus the air fuel ratio λ) and catalytic activity for the oxidation of CO by O2. The results can be interpreted qualitatively by an adsorption-reaction model, which is based on the ratio of the rate of reaction to the rate of adsorption. Sensors with high catalytic activity, i.e., where the reaction rate of the oxidation of CO is larger than the adsorption rates, show an S-shaped G—λ curve with a large step at the stoichiometric point (λ = 1) and with small slopes outside λ = 1. Sensors with low or moderate catalytic activity, i.e., where the reaction rate is smaller than the adsorption rate, show a more or less linearized curve with a slope larger than 0.5 over a large range of λ and do not show a step at λ = 1. Sensors with no or negligible catalytic activity obey a power law relationship G ∼ pi±m with m

Bleisensor für flüchtige organische Bleiverbindungen mit direkter elektrischer Anzeige

SummaryLead existing as Pb(C2H5)4 in fuels for sparkignition engines can be detected by thermal decomposition of the Pb(C2H5)4 at 200 °C to 300 °C on sensor devices. The metallic lead is deposited between two platinum electrodes and causes a strong decrease of the electrical resistance between these electrodes. The response time is approximately a few minutes. By this method 15–150 μg Pb/ml can be detected. Little amounts of oxygen (air) disturb the detection of lead, because the oxygene oxidizes the hydrocarbons of the fuel to carboxylic acids, which can contribute noticeably to the electrical conductivity. Therefore, oxygen must be removed before the temperature of decomposition is reached. This can be achieved by slow heating of the fuel, which causes the evaporating fuel to replace the oxygen (air).