Double layer sensors mimic olfactive perception: A case study

• Published in: Thin solid films 2008-09, Vol.516 (21), p.7857-7865
• Main Authors: Macagnano, A., Zampetti, E., Pistillo, B.R., Pantalei, S., Sgreccia, E., Paolesse, R., d'Agostino, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atomic Force Microscopy; Chemical sensors; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Double layer; Exact sciences and technology; General equipment and techniques; Hydrophobic polymer; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Physics; Quartz crystal microbalance; Sensors (chemical, optical, electrical, movement, gas, etc.); remote sensing; Solid surfaces and solid-solid interfaces; Structure and morphology; thickness; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Thin film structure and morphology; X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy; Zinc-porphyrin
• ISSN: 0040-6090; 1879-2731
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tsf.2008.05.025

In this work an attempt to obtain a more compact system for gas sensing, designed directly on a transducer, is presented. In the nature, a mucous layer covers the olfactory receptor cells of mammalians and selectively tunes the chemical interactions between odorous molecules and sensing systems. Such natural double layer design was reproduced in this study using a double coating comprised of a proper hydrophobic Teflon-like overlayer tuning the humidity interference between the odorous molecules and the sensitive matrix below consisting of a Zn-porphyrin film. This double coating was applied on both surfaces of the quartz crystal microbalance used for transducing into electrical signals the chemical signals deriving from the adsorption of volatile molecules.