Devices and methods for degrading contaminants that may foul a sensor. A photocatalyst associated with the sensor is capable of interacting with a light source to prevent contamination of the sensor and/or to facilitate decontamination of the sensor by contaminants such as, but not limited to, organic compounds, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), organometallic compounds, soot, organic matter, bacteria, algae, eggs of aquatic organisms, planktonic larvae, and the like.