Fundamental investigation of fuel cell-based breath alcohol sensors and the cause of sensor degradation in low-humidity conditions

• Main Author: Prest, Laura
• Other Authors: Easton, E. Bradley
• Language: en
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Breath alcohol sensor; Direct alcohol fuel cell; Electrochemically active surface area; Proton conductivity; Degradation
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10155/204

The goal of this research project was to characterize the physical and electrochemical properties of a commercially available fuel cell-based breath alcohol sensor. Characteristics of the existing sensor were compared with state of the art power generating fuel cells with the goal of understanding the factors that limit performance, lifetime and cost effectiveness of the sensors. This will guide the development of the next generation of breath alcohol sensors. The average lifetime of the current sensor falls short of the industry standards. In particular, sensors operating in dry conditions experience more rapid loss of sensitivity and failure. Two primary causes of degradation were investigated in this study. Loss of proton conductivity as a result of membrane dehydration was shown to be reversible by rehydrating the membrane in humid conditions. Loss of electrochemically active surface area of Pt is irreversible and seems to be caused by a change in sensor morphology after long-term exposure to dry conditions. === UOIT