Colorimetric Materials for Fire Gas Detection—A Review

• Main Authors: Katrin Schmitt, Karina R. Tarantik, Carolin Pannek, Jürgen Wöllenstein
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-03-01
• Series: Chemosensors
• Subjects: colorimetric; sensor; fire gas; carbon monoxide; nitrogen dioxide
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2227-9040/6/2/14

The damage caused by outbreaks of fire continues to be enormous despite ongoing improvements in fire detection and fighting. Therefore, the detection of fires at the earliest possible stage is essential. The latest developments in fire detection devices include the addition of carbon monoxide (CO) or temperature sensors into the widespread smoke detectors, but also alternative solutions are searched for. Advantageous is the direct detection of the most relevant fire gases CO and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), because they are produced very early in a developing fire. A sensitive, selective, and low-cost method to detect these gases is the use of colorimetric materials combined with a compact optical readout. In this review, we take account of recent developments in this research field and provide a comprehensive overview on suitable materials for CO and NO2 detection in fire gas sensing and first steps towards novel fire gas detectors.