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Title: Development and testing of an electrochemical methane sensor

Journal Article · · Sensors and Actuators. B, Chemical

In this article, the development of an electrochemical methane sensor is presented. The mixed potential based sensor is based on tin doped indium oxide (ITO) and platinum electrodes and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte. The sensor was fabricated using the inexpensive tape-cast method. The sensor responded to methane with a response time of 15 s. The staircase response to methane indicated a 44 mV sensor response to 100 ppm of methane. The sensor response indicated a log-linear relationship with the methane concentration. Upon 500 h of sensor testing, a 5% reduction in methane sensitivity was observed. The cross-sensitivity study on the sensor indicated minimal interference to NO, NO2, and CO2. To improve the sensitivity to methane, a signal conditioning method referred to as the pulsed discharge technique (PDT) was applied. Finally, a fourfold increase in methane sensitivity was observed when the sensor was subjected to PDT. Future studies include the miniaturization of the sensor with integrated heater design.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Sustainable Transportation Office. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-06NA25396
OSTI ID:
1408835
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-17-22339
Journal Information:
Sensors and Actuators. B, Chemical, Vol. 228, Issue C; ISSN 0925-4005
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 28 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (5)

A single slot micro-ring structure for simultaneous CO 2 and CH 4 gas sensing journal June 2018
Effect of the Heterogeneous Catalytic Activity of Electrodes for Mixed Potential Sensors journal January 2018
Fiber-optic photoacoustic sensor for remote monitoring of gas micro-leakage journal January 2019
Precision and Limits of Detection for Selected Commercially Available, Low-Cost Carbon Dioxide and Methane Gas Sensors journal July 2019
Long-term reliability of the Figaro TGS 2600 solid-state methane sensor under low-Arctic conditions at Toolik Lake, Alaska journal January 2020