Automatic signal decoding and sensor stability of a 3-electrode mixed-potential sensor for NO x /NH 3 quantification
Sensors to detect mixtures of NO x /NH 3 are needed to monitor emissions of diesel automobiles where a selective catalytic reduction system uses an NH 3 mediated reaction to reduce NO x . We report on the application of a three electrode La 0.8 Sr 0.2 CrO 3 , Au 0.5 Pd 0.5 , Pt mixed potential sensor using yttria-stabilized-zirconia (YSZ) as a solid electrolyte to NO x /NH 3 sensing. Artificial neural networks were used to automatically decode the concentrations of NO x /NH 3 and errors of less than 15% are achieved. The optimal architecture for ANN decoding and the maximum density of training data points are also determined. The stability of the sensor was monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The impedance associated with YSZ oxygen ion conduction and the electrochemical reactions at the three-phase interface are tracked for a period of over 100 days.