GAS SENSOR AND METHOD OF USING SAME

An electrochemical sensor capable of determining the partial pressure of various gases (e.g., CO, CO2, H2S, alcohol vapors, hydrocarbons, NOx, etc.) and, optionally, substantially concurrently, but independently, oxygen content in gases and liquids. The sensor measures the amount of chemisorbent species formed either electrochemically by partial reduction (such as "Reduced-CO2" in the case of CO2) or partial oxidation (in the case of alcohol) or non-electrochemically via specific adsorption (in the case of CO and hydrocarbons) on platinum or other metals. The charge required to oxidize this chemisorbed species is proportional to the amount of adsorbate on the electrode surface which is made a reproducible and reliable function of the partial pressure of the gas to be measured. By the proper selection of the sensor construction and electrical parameters, high sensitivity, fast response time, and high selectivity can be obtained.