Furthermore, if these sensors are to integrate into a catalytic system, it may be necessary to replace the conventional electrolytes with those which perform more robust and incorporated. The research efforts in institute are therefore focused on finding better suitable electrolyte materials and concepts which are able to contribute more to the sensors characteristics through their microstructure as well as chemistry.
Our research targets also the most promising impedance based sensors. The measurement principle of this sensor is that the variations in the AC-resistance are measured at different frequencies depending on the gas environment, allowing the determination of the total NOx-content. Relying on that fact, this type of sensors is most interesting for the aimed application area. Alternating sensing elements in form of nano-sized and -structured layers can increase selectivity and sensitivity of the sensors. The best candidates for this purpose are binary compounds based on Co, Ni, Pd, and Zn which are to produce by Magnetron Sputtering.
Development of catalytic materials is carried out primarily on powders and coatings synthesized by sol-gel route which is flexible and easy to handle for production of complex oxides. Successful materials are coated by means of jumping beam EB-PVD process for achievement of robust and highly porous layers.