Microcantilever sensors coated with a sensitive polyaniline layer for detecting volatile organic compounds

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2014 Sep;14(9):6718-22. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2014.9348.

Abstract

This paper describes a silicon cantilever sensor coated with a conducting polymer layer. The mechanical response (deflection) of the bimaterial (the coated microcantilever) was investigated under the influence of several volatile compounds-methanol, ethanol, acetone, propanol, dichloroethane, toluene and benzene. The variations in the deflection of the coated and uncoated microcantilevers when exposed to volatile organic compounds were evaluated, and the results indicated that the highest sensitivity was obtained with the coated microcantilever and methanol. The uncoated microcantilever was not sensitive to the volatile organic compounds. An increase in the concentration of the volatile organic compound resulted in higher deflections of the microcantilever sensor. The sensor responses were reversible, sensible, rapid and proportional to the volatile concentration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aniline Compounds / chemistry*
  • Biosensing Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / analysis*
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / chemistry

Substances

  • Aniline Compounds
  • Volatile Organic Compounds
  • polyaniline