Electrochemical detection of hydrogen cyanide

摘要

The present invention provides an electrochemical sensor for the detection of hydrogen cyanide. In general, the electrochemical sensor includes a housing having disposed therein a working electrode, a reference electrode and a counter electrode. The electrochemically active surfaces of the working electrode and reference electrode preferably comprise silver. Electrical connection is maintained between the working electrode and the counter electrode via an organic electrolyte present within the housing. The electrochemical gas sensor preferably further comprises circuitry for maintaining the working electrode at a potential in the range of approximately +40 mV to approximately -40 mV versus the silver reference electrode. Most preferably, the electrochemical gas sensor comprises circuitry for maintaining the working electrode at a potential of approximately 0 mV versus the silver reference electrode. The present invention also provides a method of using such a sensor to detect hydrogen cyanide.