Gas sensor play a crucial role in monitoring air quality by detecting hazardous or combustible gases. They are used in a wide variety of industries and applications to ensure safety. Some key areas where they are employed include industrial safety, indoor air quality monitoring, automotive emissions testing, medical diagnostics, and more.
There are several main types of it differentiated based on their operating principles:
Electrochemical Sensor
Electrochemical gas sensor detect target gases through electrochemical oxidation or reduction reactions between the Gas Sensor and an electrolyte contained within the sensor. They can be low-cost and have fast response times but may be affected by humidity and require frequent replacement of components. Common gases detected include carbon monoxide, oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, and nitrogen dioxide.
Semiconductor Sensor
Semiconductor gas sensor operate by measuring changes in electrical conductivity or resistance caused by chemical reactions between a target gas and metal oxides in the sensor. The most widely used type is the metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensor which uses metal oxides like tin dioxide (SnO2). They have reasonable selectivity and long lifespan but higher production costs than electrochemical sensor.
Infrared Sensor
Infrared (IR) gas sensor work on the principle of infrared absorption spectroscopy where different gases absorb infrared radiation at specific wavelengths unique to their molecular structure. They offer high accuracy and selectivity for detecting multiple gases simultaneously without cross-sensitivity issues. However, the equipment is more expensive and complex than other types of sensor.
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