Response of metal-oxide-silicon carbide sensors to simulated and real exhaust gases

Field effect devices based on catalytic metal-oxide-silicon carbide (MOSiC) structures can be used as high temperature gas sensors. The devices are sensitive to hydrocarbons and hydrogen and can be operated up to at least 900 degrees C, which make them suitable for several combustion applications, Simulated and real exhaust gases from a car engine have been studied at sensor temperatures from 200 to 650 degrees C, and it was round that the sensor signal is high for excess hydrocarbon and low for excess oxygen. The response time is less than 100 ms and only a small degradation of the devices was observed after several days of operation. The devices also react to changes of the gas composition In the fuel-rich and fuel-lean region. The devices show an interesting temperature dependence in the fuel rich region. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.