Development of Electrochemical Sensors for Fossil Energy Applications

Abstract

This report describes the work to date in FY10 on efforts to develop a resistive oxide sensing material optimized for SO2 detection. The results of the literature investigation into the prior work in this area are briefly discussed. Reports are scant and the majority focused on tungsten oxide, WO3. WO3 samples were evaluated at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (using resitive and thermographic techniques) for its suitability as resistive oxide sensing materials for SO2 detection near 500 oC. The materials were not suitable for SO2 levels in the 100 ppm concentration range, and suffered from cross-sensitivity to NOx and hydrocarbons. These findings are consistent with the results of the prior year’s work, where it was found that strong responses to SO2 were rare in a screening of more than 30 candidate oxides.