Influence of humidity on CO sensing with p-type CuO thick film gas sensors

A model for the detection of CO in the presence of humidity is proposed for thick porous film gas sensors based on p-type CuO. The sensing mechanism is investigated by means of simultaneous DC electrical resistance and work function changes measurements combined with appropriate modeling of the conduction in the polycrystalline sensing film. The experiments were performed at 150 °C in dry and humid air backgrounds. The conclusion is that, very similarly to the case of undoped SnO2, the explanation of the cross-interference of water in the CO detection is the fact that both react with pre-adsorbed oxygen ions.