Surface Acoustic Wave Ammonia Sensors Based on ST-cut Quartz under Periodic Al Structure

Sensors (Basel). 2009;9(2):980-94. doi: 10.3390/s90200980. Epub 2009 Feb 16.

Abstract

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices are key components for sensing applications. SAW propagation under a periodic grating was investigated in this work. The theoretical method used here is the space harmonic method. We also applied the results of SAW propagation studied in this work to design a two-port resonator with an Al grating on ST-cut quartz. The measured frequency responses of the resonator were similar to the simulation ones. Then, the chemical interface of polyaniline/WO(3) composites was coated on the SAW sensor for ammonia detection. The SAW sensor responded to ammonia gas and could be regenerated using dry nitrogen.

Keywords: Rayleigh SAW; ammonia; polyaniline/WO3; space harmonic method.