Introduction to electrochemical sensor

Electrochemical sensors use chemical reactions to measure concentrations of specific gases in the environment. There are many different applications for electrochemical sensors, and they continue to play an important role in many industries. Electrochemical sensor technology has been used in industry for many years. The current demand for small sensors that are low energy and easy to use is allowing the technology to evolve. Electrochemical sensors can be constructed differently depending on the application, thus providing a tailored solution for new and emerging applications.

Electrochemical sensors work by reacting with the gas of interest and producing an electrical signal proportional to the concentration of the gas. The sensor consists of two electrodes (a working electrode and a counterelectrode) that work by allowing charged molecules to pass through a thin layer of electrolyte.

Electrochemical sensor applications

Electrochemical sensors are used in a variety of applications and continue to play an important role in many industries. Some of the most common applications include:

Environmental monitoring of air quality
As the industrial world expands, many countries are affected by poor air quality, especially in urban areas. This poses a threat to the quality of life, and the main sources of air pollution are nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrogen sulfide and some volatile organic compounds. Electrochemical gas sensors are becoming important tools for monitoring and controlling pollutants affecting air quality. They offer a cheaper alternative to extensive air monitoring for conventional and more expensive air quality monitors based on infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography.

Detection of explosive gases and toxic vapors

In the manufacturing and chemical industries, more and more attention is paid to explosion prevention in dangerous places. This is due to the presence of toxic and combustible gases. Monitoring these hazardous areas helps to achieve a safer working environment. Government and industry regulations that require limiting workers' exposure to toxic gases and fumes.

Oxygen monitoring in the medical field

Electrochemical oxygen sensors are used in many brands and models of medical respirators and ventilators used in respiratory therapy, life support systems, and emergency medicine. If a critically ill patient is at risk of not getting enough oxygen from the ambient air due to respiratory problems, a ventilator is used to provide an oxygen-rich mixture of medical grade O2 and ambient air through a pressurized tank. The percentage of oxygen required depends on the severity of the patient's condition, so measuring the concentration and flow of oxygen is critical to the patient's health. Their small size, ease of implementation and simplicity of operation make electrochemical sensors ideal for detection and monitoring devices in the healthcare field.

Food quality control

As the world's population grows, so does the need to improve food supply, transportation and storage. Controlling food quality is important for both suppliers and consumers. However, electrochemical sensors are commonly used to monitor industrial oxygen. They are increasingly used in food industry applications due to reliable measurements and fast response times. And is widely used due to its compact size and low cost. Carbon dioxide and ethanol are used in the food and beverage industries. These gases therefore need to be continuously tested to prevent people from ingesting toxic or harmful gases. Other applications requiring gas testing include steam processes, inert gases for packaging, CO2 for carbonation, toxic gases for sterilization, and ammonia for refrigeration.