Patent ID: 7235171
Filing Date: 2007-06-26
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of detecting a hydrogen concentration comprising: placing a hydrogen sensor in an atmosphere for detecting the hydrogen concentration, the hydrogen sensor having a solid electrolyte and a first and a second electrode provided on a surface of the solid electrolyte; controlling a temperature of the hydrogen sensor; applying a voltage between the first and the second electrodes; and measuring a current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode to detect a hydrogen concentration, wherein the solid electrolyte includes an ion conductor that conducts protons and oxide ions, the ion conductor is made of a barium-cerium oxide expressed by a general formula BaCe 0<x<1,0<Y<1, and α represents a deficiency of oxygen, T·C a temperature of the sensor is controlled to be in the range from 200 to 450° C., and the voltage applied between the first and the second electrodes is controlled so that an electrolytic field intensity formed in the solid electrolyte is controlled to be 1.11 V/mm or less.