Module – 1
Sensors and Energy System
1. Define electrochemical sensors? Explain working principle of electrochemical
sensors and its applications. (6 Marks) ( Feb – 2023, Dec – 23 ,MQP 1 & 2)
Definition – (1 M)
Sensors which convert the effect of electrochemical reaction between analyte and
electrode surface into a useful signal are known as electrochemical sensors.
In Electrochemical sensors the electrode is used as transducer element.
They are divided into several types:
Potentiometric (measure voltage)
Amperometric (measure current)
Conductometric (measure conductivity)
Working Principle: (4 M)
Electrochemical sensing always requires a closed circuit current must flow to make a
closed circuit current must flow to make a measurement.
Since we need a closed loop there should be at least two electrodes which acts as a
transducer.
The surface of electrodes is used as the site of the reaction.
The electrode will interact with analyte by either oxidizing or reducing the analyte
based on the nature of electrode and induces the flow of electrons.
The current that is produced from the reaction is monitored and used to calculate the
important data such as concentration of the sample.
Fig: 1.1 electrochemical sensors
Applications: Electrochemical sensors (1 M)
Used for the detection of blood glucose
Used for pH measurements
Used to detect pesticides
Used in the detection of hydrocarbon pollutants
Used to measure the concentration of coloured analyte (Optical sensors)
2. What are Conductometric sensors? Explain working principle of Conductometric
sensors. (7 Marks) (Dec- 23, Jan – 24, MQP 1) Definition (1 M)
- Conductometric sensors are two electrode devices, measures the electrical
conductivity in sample solution between two electrodes.
Principle: (5 M)
The basic principle of conductometric detection involves a reaction that can change
the concentration of ionic species.
This reaction leads to changes in electrical conductivity or current flow.
In this method, two inert metal electrodes are used.
The ions or electrons produces during an electrochemical reaction may change the
conductivity or resistivity of the solution.
The conductivity is result of dissociation an electrolyte, into ions.
The migration of the ions is induced by an electrical field.
When a potential difference is applied to the electrode, there is an electrical field
within the electrolyte, so the positively charged ions move towards cathode and
negatively charged ions are move towards anode. (Figure).
Thus, the current in the electrolyte is caused by the ion movement towards the
electrodes where the ions are neutralized and isolated as neutral atoms (or molecules).
This chemical change is recognized by working electrode and transducers converts
this chemical change into electrical signal.
Applications: The conductometric measuring method can be used (1 M)
Strong acid with a strong base.
Strong acid with weak base.
Weak acid with a strong base
Weak acid with a weak base.
Mixture of strong acid and weak acid .
3. What are electrochemical gas sensors? Describe the application of electrochemical
gas sensors for the detection of SOX and NOX. (7 Marks)
(July- 23, Dec -23, Jan – 24, MQP 1)
Definition – (1 M)
Electrochemical gas sensors are gas detectors that measure the concentration of a target gas
by oxidizing or reducing the target gas at an electrode and measuring the resulting current.
Sensor for NOx (3 M)
Chemiresistive sensors based on graphene and its derivatives have been used to measure NOx
Chemiresistive sensors measure the change in resistance upon exposure to analyte gases and
can detect toxic gases at very low concentrations.
The concentration of electrons decreases due to the reaction between the electrons in the
sensing materials and NOx gas, as shown and resistance offered by e- decreases and current
increases.
“Higher the concentration of NOx, lesser would be the resistance”.
Detection of SO2 (3 M)
The sulfur dioxide sensor works on the electrochemical sensor.
It works based on the diffusion of SO2 gas into the sensor.
Initially SO2 oxidizes to produce oxygen free radical and converted to molecular
oxygen.
Electrons are consumed from sensor for the reduction of O2 and number of electrons
decreases on the electrode surface.
Resistance of the electrode is a function of Concentration of SO2.
4. With a neat sketch explain the measurement of dissolved oxygen by electrochemical
gas sensor? (7 Marks) (Jul-23)
Or
1.4. What is electrochemical sensor? Explain its application in the measurement of
dissolved oxygen (DO) (7 Marks) (Feb – 23, MQP)
Or
Explain the working principle of an Electrochemical sensor in the detection of
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) (7 Marks) (Jan – 24)
Electrochemical DO sensors, also known as amperometric or Clark-type sensors,
measures dissolved oxygen concentration in water based on electrical current produced. (1
M)
Working Principle: (3 M)
The difference in potential between the anode and the cathode should be at least 0.5V.
DO sensor is immersed in water sample.
Oxygen molecule diffuses across the oxygen-permeable membrane (Teflon) and the
rate of diffusion is proportional to the pressure of oxygen in the water.
Molecular Oxygen reduces to OH- at cathode.
This reaction produces an electrical current that is directly related to the oxygen
concentration.
This current is carried by the ions in the electrolyte and runs from the cathode to the
anode. (3 M)
5. Explain the detection of pharmaceutical pollutant diclofenac using electrochemical
sensor? (7 Marks) ( Jul – 23, Feb – 23)
Electrochemical detection occurs at the interface between an analyte (diclofenac) of interest
and the working electrode to which a potential is applied with respect to the reference
electrode, while the corresponding current is measured. (1 M)
Construction: (3 M)
Working electrode: Carbon Paste with MWCNT or
Graphene Counter Electrode: Carbon Paste with MWCNT or
Graphene Reference Electrode: Ag/AgCl
Process: Screen Printing Technique on PVC substrate. Insulating ink was printed on the
remaining PVC surface
Working: (3 M)
The electrochemical oxidation of Declofenac on carbon-based sensor at pH 7.0 is
reversible reaction.
Oxidation of Declofenac occurs at carbon electrode to release e-, to form radical
intermediates and followed by hydrolysis of radical intermediate species.
The products formed are 2,6- dichloro aniline and 2-2(-hydroxyphenyl) acetic acid.
Reactions on the electrode cause the current to flow.
The intensity of this current is a function of the number of oxidized / reduced
molecules.
6. What is disposable sensors? Explain in detail working principle in the detection of
biomolecules ( Ascorbic acid) with an example? (7 Marks) (Feb- 23, Jul-23, Dec- 23)
Disposable sensors: (1 M)
Disposable sensors are low-cost and easy-to-use sensing devices designed for short-term or
rapid single-point measurements.
Disposable screen-printed carbon electrodes sensor (CNT with gold nanoparticles) for
biomolecule detection- Ascorbic acid
Construction: (3 M)
It is comprising three disposable electrodes: one working electrode, one auxiliary or
counter electrode, and one reference electrode.
Each one includes a contact or terminal, a section and an active area.
All electrodes have been manufactured by silkscreen printing with conductive
material ink on a plastic polyester (PET) sheet.
The active surfaces of the counter electrode and working electrode have been printed
with a conductive ink of C (MWCNT) and modified with gold nanoparticles.
Active surface of the reference electrode has been printed with an Ag/AgCl ink.
Working: (3 M)
The electrochemical sensor can catalyze the two-electron electro catalytic oxidation
and hydrogen dissociation of AA to L-dehydroascorbic acid in the presence of oxygen
in solution.
The carboxyl MWCNTs act as electron transfer mediators promoting the electron
transfer between AA molecules and the matrix interface Increases the electro catalytic
oxidation of AA during electrochemical detection and transducer their presence into
measurable signals.
The electric current or voltage produced is proportional to the concentration of the
ascorbic acid.
7. Describe the use of disposable sensor in the detection of herbicide
Glyphosate.
(7 Marks) (Feb – 23, Dec – 23, Jan -24, MQP)
Construction: (3 M)
The sensor is a silicon- based chip comprising of three-electrode system. It is
fabricated by electro deposition technique.
Working Electrode: A gold electrode of 4 mm diameter coated with 200nm thickness
gold nanoparticles.
Counter electrode: A gold electrode of 4 mm diameter coated with 20nm thickness
gold nanoparticles
Reference Electrode: Ag/AgCl/Cl-
Electrolytes are added to increase the conductivity of the solution and minimizes the
resistance between the working and counter electrode.
Working: (4 M)
The electrochemical detection is based on the oxidation of Glyphosate on gold
working electrode.
A potential of 0.78V is applied on working electrode, there is a interaction between
analyte and
electrode surface.
Glyphosate oxidizes on the working electrode brings a change in current in the
electrolyte medium.
The change in the current is a measure of concentration of Glyphosate.
8. Explain the construction and working of Li – ion battery. Wrtite the charging and
discharging reaction. ( 7 Marks) ( Jul – 23, Feb – 23, Dec – 23, Jan -24, MQP)
Construction: (3 M)
Anode: Lithiated carbon or graphite and a binder coated on a copper foil.
Cathode: Lithiated transition metal oxide like LiCoO2 mixed with a conductor and binder and
coated in an Aluminium foil.
Electrolyte: Lithium salt in ethylene carbonate propylene carbonate
Separator: micro porous polythene film
Working of Li-Ion battery; (3 M)
Simply, the Li-ion is transfers between anode and cathode through lithium Electrolyte. Since,
neither the anode nor the cathode materials essentially change, the operation is safer than that
of a Lithium metal battery.
Uses: (1 M)
Cellular phones, Portable CD player, Note PC, DVC/DSC/DVD/Portable LCD TV etc. MD
player, Semiconductor-driven audio etc and portable electric vehicles.
9. Explain the construction and working of sodium ion battery, write the charging and
discharging reaction. (7 Marks) ( Jul-23, MQP)
Construction: (3 M)
Anode: Sodium metal intercalated on graphite is used as anode
Cathode: Chalcogenides, fluorides, polyanion compounds and chromium cathodes have been
used as cathode material.
Electrolytes: Commonly used electrolytes are PEC, PPC
Working: (3 M)
It stores energy in the chemical bonds of anode.
When battery is recharging sodium ions moves from cathode to the anode.
Meanwhile charge balancing electrons pass from the cathode through the external
circuit containing the charger and into the anode.
During discharge process electrons move from and anode to external circuit, it can be
used for various applications.
Meanwhile, Na+ ions move from anode to the cathode. Voltage obtained from every
sodium ion cell is 3.6V.
Applications: (1 M)
Used in cellular phones and laptops
In electric vehicles and power tools
Could be used to optimize solar and wind energy to meet grid energy storage
requirements.
10. What are Batteries? Explain the working principle, properties and applications of
quantum Dot sensitized solar cell ( QDSC). (7Marks)
( Feb – 23, Jan – 24, MQP 1 & 2)
Definition : (1 M)
A battery is a device consists of two or more galvanic cells arranged in series or parallel or
both that can convert chemical energy into electrical energy.
Quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs)
A semiconductor device which convert sunlight into direct current is called solar cell
or PV cell.
A quantum dot solar cell (QDSC) is a solar cell design that uses quantum dots as the
absorbing photovoltaic material.
Construction of QDSSC- Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cell (3 M)
Fig: 1.11 Quantum Dot Sensitized solar cell
Working Electrode: Fluorinated Tin Oxide substrate is taken and coated with mesoporous
wide band gap semiconducting TiO2.
Counter Electrode: A platinum and carbon based materials are coated on a brass substrate.
Electrolyte: Polysulfide is used as electrolyte ((S2-/Sx 2-)
Sensitizer: CdS is a sensitizer, it is a Quantum dot nano crystal made of semiconductor
materials.
Working of QDSSC: (2 M)
Upon light irradiation the photo sensitizer is photo excited.
The excited electrons of QD are injected into the conduction band of TiO2.
The electrons penetrate through nano crystalline TiO2 film to the back contact of the
conducting substrate and flow through an external circuit to the counter electrode.
At the counter electrode the oxidized (S2-/Sx2- component of the redox couple in the
electrolyte is reduced.
The oxidized form of the sensitizer (QD) is finally regenerated by the reduced
component of the redox couple in the electrolyte.
Fig: 1.12 Working of QDSSC
Properties of QDs (1 M)
Quantum dots have narrow bandgap.
It exhibits tunable bandgap.
Strong light absorption
High multiple electron generation.
Application
QDSSC is mainly used to harness solar energy.
Question bank
1. Define electrochemical sensors? Explain working principle of electrochemical sensors
and its applications. (6 Marks) ( Feb – 2023, Dec – 23 ,MQP 1 & 2)
2. What are Conductometric sensors? Explain working principle of Conductometric
sensors. (7 Marks) (Dec- 23, Jan – 24, MQP 1)
3. What is electrochemical gas sensors ? Describe the application of electrochemical gas
sensors for the detection of SO X and NOX. (7 Marks) (July- 23, Dec -23, Jan – 24,
MQP 1)
4. With a neat sketch explain the measurement of dissolved oxygen by electrochemical
gas sensor? (7 Marks) (Jul-23)
5. What is electrochemical sensor? Explain its application in the measurement of
dissolved oxygen (DO) (7 Marks) (Feb – 23, MQP)
6. Explain the working principle of an Electrochemical sensor in the detection of
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) (7 Marks) (Jan – 24)
7. Explain the detection of pharmaceutical pollutant diclofenac using electrochemical
sensor? (7 Marks) ( Jul – 23, Feb – 23)
8. What is disposable sensors? Explain in detail working principle in the detection of
biomolecules ( Ascorbic acid) with an example?
(7 Marks) (Feb- 23, Jul-23, Dec- 23)
[Link] the use of disposable sensor in the detection of herbicide Glyphosate.
(7 Marks) (Feb – 23, Dec – 23, Jan -24, MQP)
10. Explain the construction and working of Li – ion battery. Wrtite the charging and
discharging reaction. ( 7 Marks) ( Jul – 23, Feb – 23, Dec – 23, Jan -24, MQP)
11. Explain the construction and working of sodium ion battery, write the charging and
discharging reaction. (7 Marks) ( Jul-23, MQP)
12. What are Batteries? Explain the working principle, properties and applications of
quantum Dot sensitized solar cell (QDSC) (7Marks)
(Feb – 23, Jan – 24, MQP 1 & 2)