A description is given of a preliminary approach to the use of a new generation solid state sensor based on the capacity of the sensor element to catalyze the photodegradation of various kinds of organic compounds and to monitor the consequent pH variation. The electron holes present in the TiO₂ structure are able to trigger an oxidative process involving substances present in the environment, in particular those ones that can be adsorbed on it. These characteristics make titanium dioxide a suitable material to be used as a sensor for measuring environmental permanency and consequent risks. According to an other approach radicals are considered as markers of risk and some sensors proposed for their determination.

Date Published: 4 March 2004
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 5270, Environmental Monitoring and Remediation III, (4 March 2004);

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 5270:
Environmental Monitoring and Remediation III
Tuan Vo-Dinh; Klaus P. Schäfer; Guenter Gauglitz; Dennis K. Killinger; Robert A. Lieberman, Editor(s)