SOLID STATE TIO{sub}2 PHOTOSENSOR FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FOOD CONTROL

摘要

A description is given of a preliminary approach to the use of a new generation solid state sensor based on the capacity of the sensor element to catalyze the photodegradation of various kinds of organic compounds and to recognize their structure on the basis of the type of process catalyzed. The electron holes present in the TiO2 structure are able to trigger an oxidative process involving substances present in the environment, in particular those ones that can be adsorbed on it. These characteristics make titanium dioxide a suitable material to be used as a sensor for antioxidant, i.e. reducing, substances. By reacting with it these substances produce potential variations corresponding to values specific to the above mentioned photo-oxidative processes.