Selective mixed potential ammonia exhaust gas sensor

Novel selective ammonia sensors with high potential for long-term stability in harsh exhaust environments are introduced. The sensor bases on the mixed potential effect. In contrast to common sensors, the electrode functionalities electrical conductivity, selective catalytic activity, and electrochemical activity combined with long-term stability are separated. For that reason, one of the two electrodes is covered by a well-known porous vanadia–tungstenia–titania-based SCR catalyst material, which has been developed for exhaust gas SCR applications. The resulting sensor signal depends semi-logarithmically on ammonia. The NOx cross-sensitivity is marginal. If enough oxygen is in the exhaust, the sensor signal is independent of the oxygen concentration. Tests downstream of an SCR catalyst show that very small ammonia slips can be determined.