Nitric oxide sensor

• US 7,914,664 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2007
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cleveland State University
• Original Assignee: Cleveland State University
• Inventors: Peiris, Pubudu, Bayachou, Mekki
• Primary Examiner(s): Neckel; Alexa D
• Assistant Examiner(s): DIETERLE, JENNIFER M
• Application Number:
  US11/877,454
• Publication Number:
  US 20080223734A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,253 Days
• Field of Search: 204280-296, 204/410, 204/411, 204421-429, 73 1901- 3107, 252/500, 252/514, 257/414, 257/427, 257/423
• US Class Current: 205/781
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0037 NOx
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters

Abstract

Electrodes comprising ruthenium oxide nanoparticles are disclosed. The ruthenium oxide nanoparticles are located within the electrode or as a coating thereon. The electrode is especially suited for measuring the presence and/or concentration of nitric oxide in a sample.

Claims

1. An electrode capable of detecting low levels of nitric oxide, the electrode comprising:

a core made from a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, platinum, gold, and combinations thereof;

a surface coating consisting of ruthenium oxide nanoparticles upon the core; and

a second coating upon the surface coating, the second coating comprising poly(ethylenedioxythiophene).

2. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the surface coating has a thickness of from about 1 nanometer to about 1 micrometer.

3. The electrode of claim 1, further comprising a third coating, the third coating also comprising ruthenium oxide nanoparticles, the second coating being located between the surface coating and the third coating.

4. The electrode of claim 1, further comprising a membrane that is selective for nitric oxide, the membrane surrounding the electrode.

5. A method for detecting low concentrations of nitric oxide in a sample, the method comprising:

providing an electrode; and

using the electrode to detect low concentrations of nitric oxide in a sample;

wherein the electrode comprises;

a core made from a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, platinum, gold, and combinations thereof;

a surface coating consisting of ruthenium oxide nanoparticles upon the core; and

a second coating upon the surface coating, the second coating comprising poly(ethylenedioxythiophene).

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the electrode is capable of detecting picomolar concentrations of nitric oxide.