Ultrahigh-sensitive mixed-potential ammonia sensor using dual-functional NiWO4 electrocatalyst for exhaust environment monitoring

The exhaust monitoring for in-situ quantification of gas pollutants has always been a challenge due to the harsh thermo-chemical environments, for which the solid-electrolyte based gas sensors appear as a realistic solution. In this work, an ultrahigh-sensitive mixed-potential ammonia sensor was developed using a new dual-functional NiWO4 electrocatalyst, synthesized through a low-temperature molten-salt synthesis route. The electrode morphology and diffusion lengths were tuned for optimum performance. The sensor operated at 550 degrees C displayed response of-100 mV to 80 ppm NH3, with response/recovery times of 28/68 s and a record-high sensitivity of 90 mV/decade. Besides, it displayed excellent selectivity and trace-level NH3 detection ability upto 400 ppb. While examining the sensing mechanism, the sensor exhibited an NH3 concentration-dependent transformation of rate-determining kinetics from charge-transfer limited Butler-Volmer type to diffusional mass-transport limited reaction kinetics. Moreover, the remarkable long-term stability with negligible response degradation (< 4%) confirms the suitability of the sensor for exhaust environment monitoring.