Nanofilm Senses Chlorine
16 June 2008, 09:41
Categories: sensors
Chlorine is useful in a number of industrial processes, but can be harmful when released into the environment. Levels of 15 ppm cause throat irritation in humans and exposure to concentrations of 1000 ppm can be fatal. Now, researchers at Portland State University have found that nanoporous films of tin oxide (SnO2) doped with antimony (Sb) can detect chlorine in as little as 60 seconds at room temperature. The film operates at 25ºC.
“We developed this technology for use as robust and highly efficient early warning sensors,” says Shankar Rananavare. “Our first prototype device had a sensitivity of around 2 ppm, but we have now extended this performance to 500 ppb. With improved electronic processing we should be able to reach about 100 ppb.”
Posted by: The Editors
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