Method of controlling degradation of trace gas sensors
A method of avoiding or delaying degradation of a transduction molecule in a trace gas sensor by controlling oxygen exposure is disclosed. Degradation of the gas sensor can be avoided by storage of the sensor in a low-oxygen or substantially oxygen-free environment.
1 . A method of preserving a sensor, comprising:
a. providing a sensor comprising a transduction molecule, wherein said transduction molecule is used to detect the concentration of a trace gas; and
b. controlling the degradative effects of oxygen on said transduction molecule.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said transduction molecule is within a sensing element with a surface area greater than 300 m2/g.
3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein said sensing element has a surface area greater than 390 m2/g.
4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said sensor additionally comprises a matrix, and wherein said transduction molecule is embedded into said matrix.
5 . The method according to claim 4 , wherein said transduction molecule is cytochrome-c and said matrix is a xerogel.
6 . A method of preserving a gas sensor, comprising:
a. providing a sensor housing comprising a sensor with a transduction molecule, wherein said transduction molecule is used to detect the concentration of a trace gas; and
b. purging oxygen from said sensor housing.
7 . The method according to claim 6 , additionally comprising:
a. providing packaging;
b. purging oxygen from said packaging;
c. placing said sensor housing into said packaging, either before or after purging oxygen from said packaging; and
d. sealing said packaging.
8 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein purging oxygen from said sensor housing is accomplished with nitrogen.
9 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein purging oxygen from said packaging is accomplished with nitrogen.
10 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein said sensor additionally comprises a matrix, and wherein said transduction molecule is embedded into said matrix.
11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein said transduction molecule is cytochrome-c and said matrix is a xerogel.
12 . A method of preserving a gas sensor, comprising:
a. providing a sealed permeable sensor housing comprising a sensor with a transduction molecule, wherein said transduction molecule is used to detect the concentration of a trace gas; and
b. using an oxygen absorber to remove oxygen from said sealed permeable sensor housing.
13 . The method according to claim 12 , additionally comprising purging oxygen from said sensor housing before said sensor housing is sealed.
14 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein oxygen is not purged from said sensor housing before said sensor housing is sealed.
15 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein said sensor additionally comprises a matrix, and wherein said transduction molecule is embedded into said matrix.
16 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein said transduction molecule is cytochrome-c and said matrix is a xerogel.
17 . A method of preserving a gas sensor, comprising:
a. providing a unsealed sensor housing comprising a sensor with a transduction molecule, wherein said transduction molecule is used to detect the concentration of a trace gas; and
b. using an oxygen absorber to remove oxygen from said unsealed permeable sensor housing.
18 . The method according to claim 17 , additionally comprising purging oxygen from said sensor housing.
19 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein oxygen is not purged from said sensor housing.
20 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein said sensor additionally comprises a matrix, and wherein said transduction molecule is embedded into said matrix.
21 . The method according to claim 20 , wherein said transduction molecule is cytochrome-c and said matrix is a xerogel.
22 . A sensor package, comprising:
a. a sensor housing, said sensor housing substantially free of oxygen;
b. a transduction molecule in said sensor housing, wherein said transduction molecule is used to detect the concentration of a trace gas; and
c. a package enclosing said sensor housing, wherein said package defines an environment around said sensor, and wherein said environment is substantially free of oxygen.
23 . The package according to claim 22 , additionally comprising a matrix, wherein said transduction molecule is embedded into said matrix.
24 . The package according to claim 23 , wherein said transduction molecule is cytochrome-c and said matrix is a xerogel.
25 . The package according to claim 22 , additionally comprising an oxygen absorber in said package.
26 . The package according to claim 22 , wherein said transduction molecule is in a sensing element, and said sensing element has a surface area greater than 300 m2/g.
27 . The package according to claim 26 , wherein said sensing element has a surface area greater than 390 m2/g.