The damage caused by outbreaks of fire continues to be enormous despite ongoing improvements in fire detection and fighting. Therefore, the detection of fires at the earliest possible stage is essential. The latest developments in fire detection devices include the addition of carbon monoxide (CO) or temperature sensors into the widespread smoke detectors, but also alternative solutions are searched for. Advantageous is the direct detection of the most relevant fire gases CO and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), because they are produced very early in a developing fire. A sensitive, selective, and low-cost method to detect these gases is the use of colorimetric materials combined with a compact optical readout. In this review, we take account of recent developments in this research field and provide a comprehensive overview on suitable materials for CO and NO₂ detection in fire gas sensing and first steps towards novel fire gas detectors.

A fast and sensitive method to monitor hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in ambient air based on a visible color change of a printed disposable sensor has been developed. As gas-sensitive material, an immobilized copper(II) complex of the azo dye 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphtol (H-PAN) was synthesized and prepared in an ethyl cellulose matrix for screen printing. If H₂S is present in ambient air, the gas sensitive layer changes its color from purple to yellow. A pre-primed polyethylene (PE) foil and a coated offset paper served as the printing substrate. The colorimetric response to the target gas was measured by UV/Vis spectroscopy in reflection at H₂S concentrations between 1 to 20 ppm. Possible cross-sensitivities of the printed sensors towards methane (CH₄), formaldehyde (CH₂O), carbon monoxide (CO), ammonia (NH₃), and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), as well as the long-term stability was investigated. Furthermore, reflection measurements of the Cu-PAN complex on an amorphous silica powder under gas admission served as preliminary test for the subsequent paste development.

The detection of the toxic gas carbon monoxide (CO) in the low ppm range is required in different applications. We present a study of the reactivity of different gasochromic rhodium complexes towards the toxic gas carbon monoxide (CO). Therefore, variations of binuclear rhodium complexes with different ligands were prepared. They were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. All complexes are spectroscopically distinguishable and temperature stable up to at least 187 °C. The gasochromic behavior of all different compounds was tested. Therefore, the compounds were dissolved in toluene and exposed to 100 ppm CO for 10 min to investigate their gas sensitivity and reaction velocity. The changes in the transmission spectra were recorded by UV/vis spectroscopy. Furthermore, a significant influence of the solvent to the color dyes’ gasochromic reaction and behavior was observed. After characterization, one complex was transferred as sensing element into an optical gas sensor. Two different measurement principles (reflection- and waveguide-based) were built up and tested towards their capability as gasochromic CO sensors. Finally, different gas-dependent measurements were carried out.

It is shown that the operating temperature of pellistors for the detection of methane can be reduced to 300 °C by using Au–Pd nanoparticles on mesoporous cobalt oxide (Au–Pd@meso-Co₃O₄). The aim is to reduce possible catalyst poisoning that occurs during the high-temperature operation of conventional Pd-based pellistors, which are usually operated at 450 °C or higher. The individual role of Au–Pd as well as Co₃O₄ in terms of their catalytic activity has been investigated. Above 300 °C, Au–Pd bimetallic particles are mainly responsible for the catalytic combustion of methane. However, below 300 °C, only the Co₃O₄ has a catalytic effect. In contrast to methane, the sensor response and the temperature increase of the sensor under propane exposure is much larger than for methane due to the larger heat of combustion of propane. Due to its lower activation energy requirement, propane exhibits a higher propensity for oxidation compared to methane. As a result, the detection of propane can be achieved at even lower temperatures due to its enhanced reactivity.