Gas Sensors - Isis Project No 706, 2350, 2401 & 2861

Modified carbon-based electrochemical sensors offering higher sensitivity & selectivity and longer lifetimes.  The sensors are appropriate for a range of gases and are also suited to low cost manufacturing techniques.

Marketing Opportunity

The world market for gas sensors is estimated at £1.5bn annually.  The Oxford gas sensors incorporating low cost carbon materials could be used in a wide variety of applications such as environmental, automotive, industrial safety & medical.  The table below provides an overview of gases and licensing availability.

Project No.	Gases sensed	Licences available
706	Hydrogen sulphide	All fields except oil industry
2350 & 2401	Oxidisable and reducible gases, e.g. chlorine, nitrogen dioxide	All fields
2861	Ammonia	All fields

 

The Oxford Invention

 

Fig. 1

Electrochemical gas sensors depend on how chemicals react differently when electric currents or voltages are present.  Typically, when high sensitivity is required electrochemical gas sensors use noble metals, increasing cost and reducing their potential market penetration.  Oxford researchers have developed a range of sensitive electrochemical gas sensors using modified carbon electrodes.  Some of these new sensors are based on enhanced “edge plane” graphite (Fig. 1), e.g.

Fig. 2

oxidisable or reducible gas sensors; whereas others utilise multi-walled carbon nanotubes with demonstrably greater lifetimes through better resistance to analytes or solvent intercalation e.g. ammonia sensors (Fig. 2).

Patent Status

The Oxford gas sensors are the subject of various patent applications. Isis would like to talk to companies interested in developing the commercial opportunity. Please contact the Isis Project Manager.

Request Further Information: Project Number 2861 - Gas Sensors