Elements of Chemical Sensors

Chemical sensors are small-sized devices comprising a recognition element, a transduction element, and a signal processor capable of continuously and reversibly reporting a chemical concentration. 

The attribute of reversibility is considered important by many authors. It means that sensor signals should not freeze but respond dynamically to changes in sample concentration in the course of measurement. The following characteristics of chemical sensors are generally accepted. Chemical sensors should  

Transform chemical quantities into electrical signals. 

Maintain their activity over a long time period. 

Be specific, i.e. they should respond exclusively to one analyte, or at least be selective to a group of analytes. 

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In Chapter 2 we touch on theoretical models of adsorption response of electrophysical characteristics of real semiconductor adsorbents used as sensitive elements of chemical sensors. 

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