7/22/2019 Operating principle ‐MOS-type gas sensor

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Operating principle
Figaro offers a wide range of gas sensor products for the detection of various gases,
from explosive gases such as propane, toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, to air
quality sensors for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are responsible for sick- MOS-TYPE

house syndrome. Figaro offers a diverse portfolio of sensor technologies that can be
Catalytic-type
matched to the unique requirements of each application.
Electrochemical-type

Learn about Gas Sensors by

Animation

Miniaturization and low power

consumption
Summary
For society of no CO accident
STEP1
In clean air, donor electrons in tin Research paper
dioxide are attracted toward
oxygen which is adsorbed on the
surface of the sensing material,
preventing electric current flow.

STEP2
In the presence of reducing gases,
the surface density of adsorbed
oxygen decreases as it reacts with
the reducing gases. Electrons are
then released into the tin dioxide,
allowing current to flow freely through the sensor.

Operating principle

When semiconductor particles (typically tin dioxide) are heated in air at

high temperature, oxygen is adsorbed on the particle surface by capturing
free electrons. The depletion layer thus formed is largely dependent on
the radius of semiconductor particles used. If it is as small as
conventionally used in gas sensors (tens nano-meters), the depletion can
extend up to the whole area of each particle (volume depletion, high
sensitive). If the size is far larger, on the other hand, depletion takes place
conventionally on the periphery of each particle (regional depletion, low
sensitive).

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Figure 1 shows how the energy band structure and the distribution of
conduction electrons change with increasing the partial pressure of oxygen
from zero (flat band state) to state I (regional depletion), II (border) and
III (volume depletion). Until the border is reached, the adsorption
equilibrium is attained by increasing the depletion layer thickness. Later
(volume depletion), however, the Fermi level is lowered by p kT on going
from II to III while the layer thickness is kept constant.

x : Distance in a radial
direction
qV(x) : Potential energy
a : Particle radius
[O-] : Adsorbed oxygen
concentration
EC : Conduction band
energy
EF : Fermi level
pkT : Fermi level shift

[e] : Electron concentration

Nd : Donor density

Figure 1. Energy band structure (top) and distribution of conduction

electrons (bottom) for a semiconductor particle as correlated with an
increase in adsorbed oxygen concentration

In this stage, two important equations are derived theoretically for a

sensor device consisting of spherical particles, as follows.

[e]S=Nd exp{-(1/6)(a/LD)2-p} ... (1)

R/R0=Nd/[e]S ... (2)

Here [e]S is the surface electron concentration of particles and LD is the

Debye length. R and R0 is the sensor resistances at the steady state and
flat band state, respectively. For other symbols, see the caption of Fig.1.
When sensor materials are selected, Nd, a, LD and R0 are fixed, while p is
dependent on the actual gaseous conditions.

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As described above, MOS type gas sensors change resistance (R) as a

result of a change in adsorbed oxygen concentration. If this is used
adequately, one can detect reducing gases like carbon monoxide. The
adsorbed oxygen formed in clean air will be consumed on contact with
carbon monoxide, the resulting decrease of R being used to estimate the
concentration of carbon monoxide. The sensor recovers the original level
of resistance when carbon monoxide is off. Such a detection mechanism is
operative in tin dioxide based gas sensors.

Reference:Noboru Yamazoe, Kengo Shimanoe, Basic approach to the transducer function of oxide
semiconductor gas sensors, Sensors and Actuators B 160 (2011) 1352-1362

Warnings and Precautions for Use of MOS-type

Gas Sensors

Carefully read product information and other technical information provided

by Figaro before using our products, and confirm specifications and operating
conditions.

When designing an application circuit, please make sure that an accidental

short circuit or open circuit of other electronic components would not cause
the sensor to be subjected to excessive voltage, current, or temperatures
exceeding the rated values.

When designing application products, please make sure that a gas sensor
malfunction would not 1) cause adverse effects on other components, 2)
directly or indirectly impair the safety of application products that use gas
sensors (e.g., emit smoke, cause fire, or other unstable states of application
products).

Consider adding safety measures for fail-safe where necessary, such as a

protection circuit.

Cautions for Safe Use of MOS-type Gas Sensors

Applied voltage
Do not use the gas sensor if higher than the rated voltage is applied. If higher than
the rated voltage is applied to the sensor, the lead wires, the heater, and/or the
sensor element may be damaged or sensor characteristics may be irreversibly
impaired, even if no physical damage or breakage occurs.

Environmental conditions
Avoid exposing the sensor where adhesives or hair grooming materials containing
silicone or silicone rubber/putty may be present. If silicone vapors adsorb onto
the sensing element surface, the sensing material will be coated, irreversibly
inhibiting sensitivity.
Avoid highly corrosive environments. High density exposure to corrosive gases
such as hydrogen sulfide, sulfur oxide, chlorine, hydrogen chloride, etc. for
extended periods may cause corrosion or breakage of the lead wires or of the

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heater material. For information on specific gases and conditions for corrosive
gases, please consult with Figaro.
Avoid contamination by alkaline metals. Sensor characteristics may be
significantly changed if the sensor is contaminated by alkaline metals, especially
salt water spray.
Sensor performance may be affected if exposed to a high density of reactive
gases for a long period of time, regardless of the powering condition. For
information on specific gases and conditions, please consult with Figaro.
If water freezes on the sensing element surface, the sensing material may crack,
which will irreversibly affect sensor characteristics.
If water condenses on the sensor element surface and remains for an extended
period, sensor characteristics may temporarily drift. Light condensation under
normal conditions of indoor usage would not pose a significant problem for
sensor performance.
Regardless of its powering condition, if the sensor is exposed in extreme
conditions such as very high humidity, high temperatures, or high contamination
levels of organic vapors or other gases for a long period of time, sensor
performance may be impaired.
MOS-type gas sensors cannot properly operate in a zero or low oxygen content
atmosphere. They require the presence of normal ambient oxygen in their
operating environment in order to function properly.

Handling
Sensor characteristics may be changed due to soaking or splashing the sensor
with water.
Avoid mechanical shock. Breakage of lead wires may occur if the sensor is
subjected to a strong shock.
Under no circumstances should the sensor be disassembled, nor should the
sensor can and/or cap be deformed. Such action would void the sensor warranty
and would cause irreversible change in characteristics.

Storage conditions
When stored without powering in normal air for a long period, or in an environment
contaminated with organic vapors or volatile oils, the sensor may show a reversible
drift in resistance according to the environment. The sensor should be stored in a
sealed bag of which the material does not emit odor or gas. Do not store the sensor
with silica gel.

Mounting process
Manual soldering is always recommended for mounting gas sensors.
Wave soldering may be used for MOS-type gas sensors if limited to the following
conditions:
(1) Suggested flux: Rosin flux with minimal chlorine
(2) Transfer speed: 1-2 meters / min.
(3) Pre-heating temperature: 100±20˚C
(4) Solder bath temperature: 250±10˚C
(5) Allowable soldering passes: 2 times maximum
The results of wave soldering cannot be guaranteed if conducted outside the
above guidelines since some flux vapors may cause poisoning or drift in sensor
performance similar to the effects of silicone vapors.
When a resin coating is applied on a printed circuit board for improving its
resistance to moisture and corrosive gases, the chemical solvent contained in the
coating material may affect sensor characteristics. Sample testing should be
conducted to see if this process would adversely affect sensor characteristics.

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Excessive vibration may cause the sensor element and/or the lead wires to
resonate and eventually break. Usage of compressed air drivers or ultrasonic
welders on assembly lines may cause such vibration to the sensor. Before using
such equipment, preliminary tests should be conducted to verify that there will
be no influence on sensor characteristics.

Figaro Engineering Inc.

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