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Module 1

Sensors convert physical stimuli into electrical signals. Electrochemical sensors measure compounds using electrode-based oxidation/reduction reactions. Conductometric sensors measure conductivity changes during reactions. Optical sensors detect light absorption. Clark-type sensors measure dissolved oxygen using cathode/anode reactions producing a current proportional to oxygen levels. Screen-printed carbon sensors can detect pharmaceuticals like diclofenac and hydrocarbons like 1-hydroxypyrene through electrode oxidation reactions, producing currents correlating to analyte concentrations.

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19 views

Module 1

Sensors convert physical stimuli into electrical signals. Electrochemical sensors measure compounds using electrode-based oxidation/reduction reactions. Conductometric sensors measure conductivity changes during reactions. Optical sensors detect light absorption. Clark-type sensors measure dissolved oxygen using cathode/anode reactions producing a current proportional to oxygen levels. Screen-printed carbon sensors can detect pharmaceuticals like diclofenac and hydrocarbons like 1-hydroxypyrene through electrode oxidation reactions, producing currents correlating to analyte concentrations.

Uploaded by

user 003
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Sensors

Sensors are basically devices which “read” a physical stimulus, and then convert
that reading into an electrical signal output.
Physical Stimulus: heat, light, sound, weight, attraction

• Sensor - observe and acquire information


• Transducer- Converts one form of energy into another form
• An actuator- Converts electrical energy into mechanical energy
Measurement process for the instrumentation model
Sensor input - the physical value or measurand (X) is observed by the sensor
device
Sensor output - The sensor generates a signal variable (S) output which is
normally electrical
Signal conditioning - The signal is transmitted and conditioned
if needed (amplified, converted, filtered, etc.)
Display of measurement – the measurement is then displayed by the output
device.

Electrochemical sensors,
Sensors which convert the effect of electrochemical reaction between analyte and
electrode surface into a useful signal are known as electrochemical sensors.
In Electrochemical sensors the electrode is used as transducer element. They are
divided into several types:
• Potentiometric (measure voltage)
• Amperometric (measure current)
• Conductometric (measure conductivity)
Working Principle
Electrochemical sensor consists of a transducer element covered by a recognition
element.
The recognition element interacts with target analyte and signal is generated.
Electrochemical transducers transform the chemical changes into electrical
signals
The electric signals are related to the concentration of analyte.
Electrochemical sensing always requires a closed circuit. Current must flow to
make a measurement.
Since we need a closed loop there should be at least two electrodes. These sensors
are often called an electrochemical cell.

Applications
1. Electrochemical sensors used for the detection of blood glucose
2. Electrochemical sensors are used for pH measurements
3. Used to detect pesticides
4. Used in the detection of hydrocarbon pollutants
5. Optical sensors are used to measure the concentration of coloured analyte.

Conductometric Sensors:
Conductometric sensors are two electrode devices, measures the electrical
conductivity in sample solution between two electrodes.
Principle:
The basic principle of conductometric detection involves a reaction that can
change the concentration of ionic species. This reaction leads to changes in
electrical conductivity or current flow. In this method, two inert metal electrodes
are used. The ions or electrons produces during an electrochemical reaction may
change the conductivity or resistivity of the solution.
Working:
The conductivity is result of dissociation an electrolyte, into ions. The migration
of the ions is induced by an electrical field. When a potential difference is applied
to the electrode, there is an electrical field within the electrolyte, so the positively
charged ions move towards cathode and negatively charged ions are move
towards anode. (Figure). Thus, the current in the electrolyte is caused by the
ion movement towards the electrodes where the ions are neutralized and isolated
as neutral atoms (or molecules). This chemical change is recognized by working
electrode and transducers converts this chemical change into electrical signal.
Applications:
• The conductometric measuring method can be used in enzyme catalysis to
determine analyte concentration and enzyme activity and selectivity.
• Screen-printed conductometric sensor with inter digital gold electrodes on
glass substrate coated with molecularly imprinted polyurethane layers was
fabricated to detect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water.
• A conductometric sensor consisting of a silicon substance with a pair of
gold inter digitized and serpentine electrodes is used to determine urea.
• The conductometric biosensor based on inhibition analysis, was
intended for the determination of organo phosphorous pesticides.
Optical sensors
Optical sensors are electronic components designed to detect and convert incident
light rays into electrical signals.
Example: Colourimetric Sensors
Principle: When a sample solution is interacted with a light of suitable
wavelength, certain quantity of light is absorbed by the analyte solution and it is
observed by a sensor and transducer converts intensity of absorbed light into
electrical signal. The change in intensity at certain wavelength within visible
(400–800mm) range can be determined using special instrumentation.

A photon (ultraviolet, visible, or near-infrared light) is converted in the


photocathode into a low-energetic electron, emitted into the vacuum. This
electron is accelerated towards and focused onto the first dynode, releasing
secondary electrons. This multiplication is repeated in subsequent dynodes,
resulting in a measurable electric charge at the anode.
Application:
Absorption-based optical sensors (Colourimetry)
Absorption-based optical sensors can be colorimetric or spectroscopic in nature.
Colorimetric sensors are an important part of optical sensors that depends on the
colour of the analyte with in the visible range (400-800nm)
Its basic components include a light source, a wavelength selector, a
photodetector and a read-out device. A block diagram of a typical instrumentation
system employed colurimetry is shown in Fig.
A monochromatic light is made to pass through analyte solution where certain
quantity of light is absorbed and it is a function of concentration of analyte. The
change in the intensity of light is detected by photodetector (sensing). The light
source generates an intense and stable radiation signal needed to probe an optical
property of the molecular recognition element in the sensor. The amount of
absorbance is governed by Beer- lamberts law.
Electrochemical Sensor for the measurement of Dissolved Oxygen (DO);
Brief introduction to different sensors for DO

Electrochemical DO sensors, also known as amperometric


or Clark-type sensors, measures dissolved oxygen concentration in water
based on electrical current produced.
Galvanic Sensor is a Electrochemical sensor, which is used to measure DO
Components:
Cathode : Working electrode-Ag
Anode : Zn, Pb or any other active metal
Electrolyte: KOH, NaOH or any other inert electrolyte
Membrane: Teflon
Working Principle
The difference in potential between the anode and the cathode should be at least
0.5V.
DO sensor is immersed in water sample.
Oxygen molecule diffuses across the oxygen-permeable membrane (Teflon) and
the rate of diffusion is proportional to the pressure of
oxygen in the water.
Molecular Oxygen reduces to OH- at cathode.
This reaction produces an electrical current that is directly related to the oxygen
concentration.
This current is carried by the ions in the electrolyte and runs from the cathode to
the anode.
Reactions:

Electrochemical sensors for the detection of Pharmaceuticals (diclofenac)


Electrochemical detection occurs at the interface between an analyte (diclofenac)
of interest and the working electrode to which a potential is applied with respect
to the reference electrode, while the corresponding current is measured.
Different sensors are developed for the detection of Diclofenac such as
1) Potentiometric sensor (low sensitivity)
2) Electrochemical sensor with unmodified carbon electrode
3) Electrochemical sensor with modified carbon electrode
4) Bio-sensor
Components of disposable screen printed Carbon paste electrode for
diclofenac detection (Three electrode sensor)
Working electrode: Carbon Paste with MWCNT or Graphene
Counter Electrode: Carbon Paste with MWCNT or Graphene
Reference Electrode: Ag/AgCl
Process: Screen Printing Technique on PVC substrate.
Insulating ink was printed on the remaining PVC surface.
Working:
• The electrochemical oxidation of DCF on carbon-based sensor at pH
7.0 is reversible reaction.
• Oxidation of Declofenac occurs at carbon electrode to release e-, to
form radical intermediates and followed by hydrolysis of radical
intermediate species.
• the products formed are 2,6- dichloro aniline and 2-2(-
hydroxyphenyl) acetic acid.
• Reactions on the electrode cause the current to flow.
• The intensity of this current is a function of the number of oxidized
/reduced molecules.
Products: 2,2 Hydroxy-Phenyl-Acetic Acid and 2,6 Dichloro Aniline

Electrochemical sensors for the detection of Hydrocarbon : 1- Hydroxypyrene


(Screen Printed Sensor)
Working electrode: PAMAM/Cr-MOF/GO (Composite)
Counter Electrode: PAMAM/Cr-MOF/GO
Reference Electrode: Ag/AgCl
Operating Voltage: +0.7 to −0.5 V
PAMAM: Dendrimer polyamidoamine
Cr-MOF: Chromium-centered metal–organic framework GO: Graphene Oxide
Working:
When this electrode is used to detect the sample containing 1-Hydroxypyrene
(water sample) the following changes takes place: At the electrode
surface electro-oxidation takes place to yield several hydroxylated
species and then hydroquinone by losing 2e− and 2H+.
Reactions on the electrode cause the current to flow.The quantity of this current
is a function of the number of oxidized / reduced molecules. Current produced
is directly proportional to the concentration 1-Hydroxypyrene.

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