Quantification Method for Electrolytic Sensors in Long-Term Monitoring of Ambient Air Quality

Sensors (Basel). 2015 Oct 27;15(10):27283-302. doi: 10.3390/s151027283.

Abstract

Traditional air quality monitoring relies on point measurements from a small number of high-end devices. The recent growth in low-cost air sensing technology stands to revolutionize the way in which air quality data are collected and utilized. While several technologies have emerged in the field of low-cost monitoring, all suffer from similar challenges in data quality. One technology that shows particular promise is that of electrolytic (also known as amperometric) sensors. These sensors produce an electric current in response to target pollutants. This work addresses the development of practical models for understanding and quantifying the signal response of electrolytic sensors. Such models compensate for confounding effects on the sensor response, such as ambient temperature and humidity, and address other issues that affect the usability of low-cost sensors, such as sensor drift and inter-sensor variability.

Keywords: air quality; amperometric; electrolytic; monitor; pollution; quantification model.