Hydrogen sensor working principle

Electrochemical oxygen sensors usually consist of electrode materials and electrolytes. Among them, electrode materials include platinum, palladium, nickel, chromium, etc. These electrode materials serve as electrodes in electrochemical reactions to reduce oxygen ions into oxygen molecules. The electrolyte is usually a solution containing oxygen, hydroxyl ions, and hydrogen ions. Oxygen and hydroxide ions generate water molecules and oxygen molecules during the reduction and oxidation processes of the electrode, while hydrogen ions are reduced to hydrogen gas molecules.

When oxygen in the air enters the sensor through the sensor’s air inlet, it reacts with the electrode material and electrolyte to generate an electric current. According to the working principle of the electrochemical oxygen sensor, the oxygen sensor generates a reaction current, which can be used to detect changes in oxygen concentration produced during breathing. Specifically, when the oxygen concentration decreases during breathing, the electrode material will undergo a reduction reaction, producing more oxygen molecules, resulting in an increase in reaction current; conversely, when the oxygen concentration increases during breathing, the electrode material will undergo an oxidation reaction. , producing fewer oxygen molecules, resulting in a reduction in reaction current.