Surface acoustic wave sensors detection limits

A coated surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) sensor capable of real-time, selective measurement of vinyl acetate vapor in the presence of several olefin and non-olefin cocontaminants is described. The coating film en loyed consists of the solid platinum-ethylene Ji-complex, trans-PtCl (ethylene)(pyridine). occluded in a polyisobutylene matrix. Exposure to vinyl acetate results in displacement of ethylene from the cott lex and formation of the vinyl acetate-substituted complex. Subsequent regeneration of the original reagent is possible by treatment with ethylene gas, in situ. A lower detection limit of 5 ppm of vinyl acetate is achieved for operation at 46 C. The industrial-hygiene applications of the sensor are discussed. 

Conjugated polymers have been used in piezoelectric sensors in two configurations in quartz crystal miaobalance (QCM) sensors and in surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors. The polymer in this case acts only as an active layer, which tunes the surface properties of piezoelectric crystals and improves both the detection limit (by adsorbing more analyte molecules) and selectivity (by introducing special interaaions with analytes). 

Acoustic analysis detects changes in the properties of acoustic waves as they travel at ultrasonic frequencies in piezoelectric materials. The interaction between the waves and the phase-matter composition facilitates chemical selectivity and, thus, the detection of CWA s. These are commonly known as surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors. Reported studies indicate detection limits as low as 0.01 mg m for organophosphorus analytes within a 2 min analysis [1]. There are several commercially available SAW instruments, which can automatically monitor for trace levels of toxic vapors from G-nerve agents and other CWAs, with a high degree of selectivity. A major advantage of SAW detectors is that they can be made small, portable and provide a real-time analysis of unknown samples. One of the drawbacks of these instruments is that sensitivity and a rapid response time are inversely related. In an ideal instrument, both parameters would be obtained without sacrificing one for the other. 

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