New TiO2 and Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Microsensors for Detecting Traces of O2 in Beverage Grade CO2

We report on the development, fabrication and testing of an oxygen microsensor conceived for detecting traces of oxygen in beverage grade carbon dioxide. The microsensor is based on a titanium oxide and carbon nanotube hybrid gas sensitive layer obtained by a modified sol-gel process. The hybrid films show a high responsiveness towards traces of oxygen (~ 6) when operated at moderate temperatures (350degC). This sensitivity compares very favourably to the one shown by similar microsensors based on titanium oxide with no carbon nanotubes.