Sensing of organic substances by controlling surface polarization of electrodes

Abstract

Photovoltaic effects of semiconductor were examined for chemical sensing. Light induced potential change influences surface electrical polarity through lighy generated carriers, then characteristics of electrode changes and the electrode respond to various chemicals. Odor and taste substances have various electrical property and affect the light induced potential change. We can detect very sensitively electrolyte or nonelectrolyte, such as sucrose, ethanol and mono sodium glutamate by changes of photo voltage. The results suggest that characteristics of the transducer can be controlled and information of chemicals multiplexed in a signal from a single transducer.