Ambient Pressure NO2 Sensor

The measurement of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is important to both environmental monitoring and to research of flame, combustion, and surface chemistry.  Current methods and devices operate at very low, sub-ambient pressures, requiring a substantial pumping system and limiting their usefulness in applications in higher pressure environments where direct and non-intrusive measurement of NO2 are desirable.

 

PSU researchers have developed a selective and sensitive fluorescence based method and instrument for the direct measurement of NO2 at ambient pressure.  The current prototype has a limit of detection at 2ppb, and averaging interval of 60 seconds, and functions at 760 torr - without the requirement for high grade pumping systems - making it an exciting potential alternative to existing devices.