Abstract
Bad breath or halitosis affects a majority of the population from time to time, causing personal discomfort and social embarrassment. Here, we report on a miniaturized, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based, amperometric hydrogen sulfide (H2S) sensor that potentially allows bad breath quantification through a small handheld device. The sensor is designed to detect H2S gas in the order of parts-per-billion (ppb) and has a measured sensitivity of 0.65 nA/ppb with a response time of 21 s. The sensor was found to be selective to NO and NH3 gases, which are normally present in the oral breath of adults. The ppb-level detection capability of the integrated sensor, combined with its relatively fast response and high sensitivity to H2S, makes the sensor potentially applicable for oral breath monitoring.
Highlights
Bad breath or oral malodor, affects a majority of the population on a regular basis
Halitosis in an adult is classified as “normal” if the concentration is within the range of 80–160 parts-per-billion, “weak” if the concentration is within the range of 160–250 ppb, and “strong” if the concentration is greater than 250 ppb [6,7]
The sensor was tested for its hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) gas sensitivity, selectivity to nitric oxide (NO) and NH3, and response time
Summary
Bad breath or oral malodor, affects a majority of the population on a regular basis. The presence of plaque, tongue coating [1], gum diseases [2], exposed necrotic tooth pulp, and healing wounds [3]. Microorganisms present in oral cavities react with organic compounds, releasing sulfur-containing by-products that lead to bad breath. Recent developments in sensor technology have provided measuring instruments with sensitive detection of bad breath. The most successful commercial measuring instrument is the HalimeterTM [5], a standard clinical bench-top instrument used to measure volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), H2 S gas concentration In this instrument, the user blows into a tube attached to the instrument and a concentration value is presented on a display. To more directly address and counteract personal discomfort, ad-hoc mobile monitoring of bad breath would be highly desired To achieve such monitoring, the sensor element is essential, which requires a small form factor for integration, a fast response time, and ppb-level sensitivity.
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