Feasibility study: Color dye and polymeric matrices for a CO and NO2 optical gas sensor for fire detection

• Research unit: INNOSUISSE
• Project number: 10990.1;3 PFNM-NM

Short description (English)

Feasibility study: Color dye and polymeric matrices for a CO and NO2 optical gas sensor for fire detection

Short description (French)

Feasibility study: Color dye and polymeric matrices for a CO and NO2 optical gas sensor for fire detection

Abstract (English)

Detection of gases is of high interest for fire detection, in particular the detection of CO and NO2 as leading substances during fire events. In special applications CO-sensors are already used to support conventional optical or heat detectors for fire detection. Although CO is a leading gas in many fire events there are other typical fire events emitting - compared to CO - mainly NO2 (for example polyurethane or n-heptane fires). Gas sensors to detect CO or NO2 are available on the market but often are too expensive, the dimensions are too big or the long-term stability is too poor. Additionally power consumption of most suitable technologies is too high. The aim of this feasibility study therefore is to evaluate a MEMS-compatible low-power technology which is able to combine the detection of CO and NO2 in a way that the drawbacks from existing technologies are solved. The proposed method will integrate colorimetric detection of gases implemented in an optical waveguide configuration that when combined provide both selectivity, sensitivity and long term stability. As especially suitable colorimetric layers for NO2-detection are known, the main focus of this feasibility study is on the synthesis and evaluation of color dyes for the specific detection of CO using such a system configuration. A preliminary studied is required to determine if colorimetric films with suitable performances can be formulated to meet the requirements of the targeted fire safety applications before launching a complete CTI project on the sensor development.

Abstract (French)

Detection of gases is of high interest for fire detection, in particular the detection of CO and NO2 as leading substances during fire events. In special applications CO-sensors are already used to support conventional optical or heat detectors for fire detection. Although CO is a leading gas in many fire events there are other typical fire events emitting - compared to CO - mainly NO2 (for example polyurethane or n-heptane fires). Gas sensors to detect CO or NO2 are available on the market but often are too expensive, the dimensions are too big or the long-term stability is too poor. Additionally power consumption of most suitable technologies is too high. The aim of this feasibility study therefore is to evaluate a MEMS-compatible low-power technology which is able to combine the detection of CO and NO2 in a way that the drawbacks from existing technologies are solved. The proposed method will integrate colorimetric detection of gases implemented in an optical waveguide configuration that when combined provide both selectivity, sensitivity and long term stability. As especially suitable colorimetric layers for NO2-detection are known, the main focus of this feasibility study is on the synthesis and evaluation of color dyes for the specific detection of CO using such a system configuration. A preliminary studied is required to determine if colorimetric films with suitable performances can be formulated to meet the requirements of the targeted fire safety applications before launching a complete CTI project on the sensor development.