Ammonia gas sensors: A comprehensive review

Abstract

In recent years, sensitive, selective and accurate sensing techniques for ammonia gas detection have been highly demanded since ammonia is both a commonly utilized gas in various industrial sectors and a highly toxic and corrosive agent that can threat human health and environment. This review article discusses the widely used gas sensing techniques in ammonia detection. The fundamental working principles of the ammonia detection techniques relying on electronics, electrochemistry, tunable diode laser spectroscopy, surface acoustic wave, and field effect transistors are briefly described first, in conjunction with various sensing materials. Furthermore, recent progress in the development of advanced ammonia gas sensors was comprehensively reviewed and summarized. Finally, the outlook for future development of high-performance ammonia sensors was presented.

Keywords: Ammonia; Conducting polymer; Electrochemical; Field effect transistor; Gas sensor; Metal oxide; Surface acoustic wave; TDLAS.