Development of a benzene vapour sensor utilizing chemiluminescence on Y2O3

Abstract Chemiluminescence (CL) was observed when benzene vapour passed through the surface of Y 2 O 3 , TiO 2 , Y 2 O 3 –V 2 O 5 , TiO 2 –Y 2 O 3 , Y 2 O 3 –Cr 2 O 3 , Y 2 O 3 –Al 2 O 3 and TiO 2 –Al 2 O 3 , with air as the carrier gas. The strongest CL intensity was found with Y 2 O 3 as the catalyst. A novel benzene sensor based on this kind of CL was developed. Quantitative analysis was performed at the wavelength of 425 nm. Under optimal conditions, CL intensity was directly proportional to the concentration of benzene vapour. The linear range was 4–7018 mg/m 3 ( r = 0.9981, n = 11), with a detection limit of 1 mg/m 3 (the signal:noise ratio was 3). This gas sensor can work continuously for >80 h and has been successfully applied to the real‐time determination of benzene vapour. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.