Electrochemical O2 Sensors: Background Gas Compatibility

Southland Sensing Ltd. Oxygen sensors are based on the electrochemical galvanic micro-fuel cell measurement principle. This makes them suitable for the measurement of O2 in a variety of gases from percentage levels to trace oxygen (PPM or PPB). This flexibility and dynamic range of operation open’s up a wide range of potential applications for our products. It is important to check the suitability of the sensor against the other components in the gas stream it will be used in. This is a brief list of our experience, if you don’t see your gas listed, inquiry with our technical team for added feedback.

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This table is designed to help you select the right oxygen sensor for your needs:

Chemical NameFormulaTO2-1 / PO2-1 SERIESTO2-2 / PO2-2 SERIES
Acetic Acid (vapor)CH3COOHNot SuitableSuitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
Acetone (vapor)(CH3)2COSuitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
AcetonitrileC2H3NSuitableNot Suitable
AcetyleneC2H2SuitableSuitable
AcrylonitrileC3H3NSuitableSuitable
AirN2+O2+ArSuitableSuitable
AmmoniaNH3Limited use 2-3 hrs daily; flush with N2Not Suitable
ArgonArSuitableSuitable
ArsineAsH3Not SuitableNot Suitable
BromineBrNot SuitableNot Suitable
Butadiene (shorter Life)C4H6Limited life 3-4 monthsNot Suitable
ButeneC4H8SuitableSuitable
ButaneC4H10SuitableSuitable
Carbon DioxideCO2Suitable < 5000 PPM CO2Suitable
Carbon DisulfideCS2Suitable < 1000 PPM CS2Suitable
Carbon MonoxideCOSuitableSuitable
Carbon TetrachlorideCCl4SuitableNot Suitable
Chlorinated HydrocarbonsC+H+ClSuitableSuitable
ChlorineCl2Not SuitableNot Suitable
Chloro-fluorocarbonsH+F+Cl+CSuitableSuitable
CyclopentaneC5H10Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
DiboraneB2H6Suitable; remove B2H6 > 15 PPMSuitable; remove B2H6 > 15 PPM
Dimethyl Ether (vapors)C2H6OSuitableNot Suitable
EthaneC2H6SuitableNot Suitable
Ethyl AcetateC4H8O2SuitableSuitable
EthyleneC2H4SuitableSuitable
FluorineF2Not SuitableNot Suitable
Formaldehyde (vapors)CH2OSuitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
HeliumHeSuitableSuitable
HeptanesC7H16Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
Hexanes (shorter Life)C6H14Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
HydrocarbonsH+CSuitableSuitable
Hydrochloric Acid (vapors)HClNot SuitableSuitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
HydrogenH2SuitableNot Suitable
Hydrogen CyanideHCNSuitableSuitable
Hydrogen FluorideHFNot SuitableNot Suitable
Hydrogen SulfideH2SSuitable; remove H2S > 15 PPMSuitable; remove H2S > 15 PPM
IodineINot SuitableNot Suitable
Isopropyl AcetateC5H10O2SuitableSuitable
Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)C6H8OSuitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
MethaneCH4SuitableSuitable
KryptonKrSuitableNot Suitable
Ethanol EtOH (vapors)CH3OHSuitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
Methanol MeOH (vapors)CH4OSuitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
Methyl Iodide (vapors)CH3ISuitable; requires filter, condenses at room tempSuitable; requires filter, condenses at room temp
Methyl Mercaptan (vapors, shorter life)CH4SSuitable, Remove CH4S > 15 PPMSuitable, Remove CH4S > 15 PPM
Methyl Propenoate (acrylate)C4H6O2Not SuitableSuitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
MTBE (vapors)C5H12OSuitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
NeonNeSuitableNot Suitable
Nitric OxideNOLow PPM NO concentrations onlyPPM NO concentrations only
NitrogenN2SuitableSuitable
Nitrogen DioxideNO2Not SuitableNot Suitable
Nitrous OxideN2OLow PPM NO concentrations onlyLow PPM NO concentrations only
NOxNO, NO2Low PPM NOX concentrations onlyLow PPM NOX concentrations only
OctafluorocyclobutaneC4F8SuitableSuitable
OzoneO3Not SuitableNot Suitable
Pentane (vapors)C5H12Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
PhosgeneCOCl2Not SuitableNot Suitable
PhosphinePH3Suitable; Remove PH3 > 15 PPM Suitable; Remove PH3 > 15 PPM
PropaneC3H8SuitableSuitable
Propylene Aldehyde (vapors)C3H4OSuitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
Propionic Acid (vapors)C3H6O2Not SuitableSuitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
PropyleneC3H6SuitableSuitable
R142bC2H3F2ClSuitableSuitable
R152aC2H4F2SuitableSuitable
RadonRnSuitableSuitable
SilaneSiH4Not SuitableNot Suitable
StyreneC8H8SuitableSuitable
Sufuric Acid (vapors)H2SO4Not SuitableSuitable; remove H2SO4 > 15 PPM
Sulfur DioxideSO2Low PPM SO2 concentrations onlyLow PPM SO2 concentrations only
Sulfur Hexafluoride (limits life)SF6SuitableSuitable
Tetrafluoroethylene (vapors)C2F4Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
Tetrafluoromethane (vapors)CF4Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
Tetrahydrofurane (vapors)C4H8OSuitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
Toluene (vapors)C7H8Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
Trimethylaluminum (vapors)(CH3)6A12Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
Terpene (vapors, limits life)(C5H8)nRemove low concentrations; otherwise Not RecommendedRemove low concentrations; otherwise Not Recommended
Vinyl Acetate (vapors)C4H6O2Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested.
Vinyl Chloride (vapors)C2H3ClSuitableSuitable
XenonXeSuitableNot Suitable
XyleneC8H10SuitableSuitable