Real-Time Ozone Sensor Based on Selective Oxidation of Methylene Blue in Mesoporous Silica Films

Sensitive and selective personal exposure monitors are needed to assess ozone (O-3) concentrations in the workplace atmosphere in real time for the analysis and prevention of health risks. Here, a cumulative gas sensor using visible spectroscopy for real-time O-3 determination is described. The sensing chip is a mesoporous silica thin film deposited on transparent glass and impregnated with methylene blue (MB). The sensor is reproducible, stable for at least 50 days, sensitive to 10 ppb O-3 (one-tenth of the occupational exposure limit value in France, Swiss, Canada, U.K., Japan, and the USA) with a measurement range tested up to 500 ppb, and insensitive to NO2 and to large variation in relative humidity. A model and its derivative as a function of time are proposed to convert in real time the sensor response to concentrations, and an excellent correlation was obtained between those data and reference O-3 concentrations. This sensor is based on a relatively cheap sensing material and a robust detection system, and its analytical performance makes it suitable for monitoring real-time O-3 concentrations in workplaces to promote a safer environment for workers.