Solid‐State Detectors for the Potentiometric Determination of Gaseous Oxides: I . Measurement in Air

Abstract

This paper suggests that the potentiometric detection of sulfur oxides in air is feasible with solid‐sulfate electrolytes, and presents experimental results on the electrode Pt, , . Several experimental parameters, namely,, temperature, and flow rate, are studied with concentration cells using potassium sulfate, as the electrolyte. A solid reference electrode based on an Ag/Ag+ electrochemical couple is also studied as a replacement for the gas reference electrode. The authors conclude that rapid conversion of several gaseous sulfur compounds, namely, , , etc., into oxides occurs under the cell operating conditions, and that rapid equilibrium is reached between, , and at the electrode. Preliminary results of tests using solid electrolytes to detect other gaseous oxides in air are also given for the Pt, ,, and Pt, , systems.