Gas Detection Technologies: An Overview

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Are you about to start gas sensing? Or are you looking for new technology that meets your customers’ specific gas measurement requirements? In this article, you find a complete overview of existing, modern gas detection technologies available on the market, including the latest innovative solutions that are just emerging to overcome common measurement challenges. You discover how each technology works, as well as its primary benefits and potential limitations. 

1. Chemiresistive sensors 

Chemiresistive sensors use a sensitive conductive material that changes resistance when exposed to gases. These materials can be very diverse like metal oxides, nanoparticles, graphene-based 2D structured materials, polymers,…  

1.1. Metal oxide semi-conductor sensors (MOx) 

Metal oxide semiconductor sensors are used to detect toxic gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and other reducing or oxidizing gases depending on p type or n type. These passive sensors are based on the variation in electrical conductivity of the semiconductor material in the presence of target gases. 

CSIRO Cooper, Chemiresistor (Wikipedia page)

How it works

MOx sensors measure conductivity through a heated transducer often associated to a conditioning circuit. Changes in the ambient environment induce conductivity fluctuations in the semiconducting metal oxide. This requires a high-temperature surface (approximately 200 to 400°C) for gas adsorption and electron exchange. This necessitates a heating circuit (MEMS microheater in microsensor), that significantly increases power consumption. 

AdvantagesDisadvantages
CMOS-compatibleLow selectivity
High integrability thanks to its miniature sizeHigh power consumption 
Ability to measure low gas concentrationNeeds a heater and a conditioning circuit  
Low price

1.2. Nanomaterial- and polymer-based sensors

Most nanomaterials and polymers operate at room temperature (no heating circuit is required) and exhibit good resistance to humidity and chemical attack.   

How it works

Gases can absorb to the material’s surface, inducing changes in conduction properties, which are detected by resistance variations.  

Nanomaterial- and polymer-based gas sensor

However, like MOx sensors, these sensors may detect multiple gases simultaneously, and the organic or organometallic material can evolve over time. The use of self-calibration algorithms is then recommended to compensate environment and aging-related drifts. 

AdvantagesDisadvantages
High versatility (choice and application of the sensitive material layer can be adapted depending on the target gas)Sensitive material may age over time 
Ultra-low power consumptionRecovery time
High integrability thanks to its miniature size
Low price

2. Eletrochemical sensors (EC)

Electrochemical sensors use electrochemical reactions to detect gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂) or ammonia (NH₃). 

There are two types of electrochemical sensors: amperometric or potentiometric.

How it works

Target gases react with the sensing electrodes, generating an electric current or an electrical potential which is measured and converted into gas concentration. The electrochemical gas sensor reacts with a target gas and produces an electric signal proportional to the gas concentration.

Electrochemical sensor
W. Yi et al. (2015) A survey of wireless sensor network based air pollution monitoring systems. Sensors, 15(12), 31392-31427.​

The gas passes through a small capillary opening of the sensor, then diffuses through a hydrophobic barrier and finally reaches the electrode surface. This approach allows enough gas to react with the sensing electrode to produce a sufficient electrical signal while preventing electrolyte from leaking from the sensor. 

The gas diffusing through the barrier reacts on the surface of the sensing electrode, involving an oxidation or reduction mechanism. These reactions are catalyzed by electrode materials developed specifically for the target gas. With a resistor connected across the electrodes, a current proportional to the gas concentration flows between the anode and cathode. The current can be measured to determine the gas concentration. 

However, the low current value (of the order of nA) requires the use of an analog conditioning circuit (Analog Front End) to convert the current into a voltage (for amperometric EC). This is achieved using a transimpedance amplifier. The output signal of this circuit is directly related to the measured gas concentration. This is measured via an ADC pin of the microcontroller.

AdvantagesDisadvantages
Able to measure low gas concentration – at ppb levelNot fully miniaturized (often bulky solution with external analog readout) 
SelectivityOne sensor per target gas (even if the technology is compatible with a broad gas range) 
Low power consumption Limited lifespan (electrolyte consumes itself, like a battery, in contact with target gas) 
Not easy to handle – asks for environment and sensor chemistry knowledge 
High temperature sensitivity 
High price

3. Non-dispersive infrared sensors (NDIR) 

Non-dispersive infrared sensors are commonly employed to detect gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂) or methane (CH₄). 

How it works

NDIR sensors detect gases by measuring the difference in infrared light at the receptora s the light is absorbed by the gas molecules. Each gas has its own, unique infrared absorption signature, allowing to identify and quantify surrounding target gases. 

NDIR sensor mechanism
Asahi Kasei Microsensors, ‘What is NDIR?
AdvantagesDisadvantages
High selectivityMeasure only one gas or one gas family
AccuracyHigh power consumption
Bulky solution

4. Photoionization detectors (PID)

PID sensors are precise at detecting thousands of VOCs. However, they can not be used to accurately read natural gases (methane, ethane), small molecules (ozone, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen…), nor components of clean air (oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen…).  

How it works

Photoionization sensors are based on measuring the ionization of gas molecules by a UV light source. When UV light comes into contact with gas molecules, it causes their ionization, that is to say, the formation of positive and negative ions. Ionization is measured by the photoionization sensor which transforms the signal into a gas concentration value. 

C. Zimmer, K. T. Kallis, F. Giebel (2015), Micro-structured electron accelerator for the mobile gas ionization sensor technology, Journal of Sensors and Sensor Systems 4(1):151-157.
AdvantagesDisadvantages
Selectivity to the target gas High price
Ability to detect a large gas rangeHigh power consumption 
Ability to measure low gas concentration – at ppb levelSensitivity of the emission source 
No / low sensor influence  High sensitivity to humidity 

5. Catalytic bead sensors 

Catalytic bead sensors measure combustible gases through their thermal conductivity. 

How it works

Catalytic bead sensors consist of: 

  • A detector element, which is sensitive to combustible gases and contains catalytic material 
  • An inert compensator.  

Combustible gases react and burn with the detector element, causing a rise in temperature and resistance. 

W. Yi et al. (2015) A survey of wireless sensor network based air pollution monitoring systems. Sensors15(12), 31392-31427.​

The conditioning circuit often consists of a Wheatstone bridge, limiting the dynamic range (each interface is designed for a specific reacting material). 

AdvantagesDisadvantages
Low response timeNo selectivity
Ease of implementationLimited to explosive gases or with high thermal conductivity variations compare to air or other carrier gas 
High power consumption (need to be heated) 

Conclusion

Up until the recent development of new, innovative solutions, choosing a gas sensing technology has been highly dependent on specific application requirements, including the gases to be measured, the surrounding environment, and the sensor’s placement within an existing system or infrastructure. 

With its EnviCam-3x multi-gas microsensor product line, complemented by AI-based software EnviSoft, VOCSens addresses multiple market needs with a single technology

We assist you in tackling your gas sensing challenges. Offering versatility, selectivity, precision, and high integrability, coupled with self-calibration capabilities, VOCSens products reduce the need for maintenance operations, making it a valuable choice for your customers’ gas detection needs.

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