AlN on nanocrystalline diamond piezoelectric cantilevers for sensors/actuators

Micro-cantilevers can be used as both sensors and actuators. In this work, the design, fabrication and characterization of piezoelectrically driven nano-crystalline diamond (NCD) cantilevers are reported Diamond films were grown on silicon (100) substrates by microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MW-PECVD). Cantilevers are coated by DC pulsed piezoelectric with AlN films that is sandwiched between two metallic electrodes. The thicknesses of AlN and diamond layers are 1μm and 700nm, respectively. The influence on the electromechanical response of cantilevers length was studied. The motion of the electrically driven cantilevers is performed by measuring the evolution of the electrical impedance at the resonant frequencies that varies between 10 kHz and 130 kHz for the resonant mode.     

Selective piezoelectric odor sensors using molecularly imprinted polymers

Molecular imprinting technique has been used to create sensors with a predetermined selectivity for molecules in the gas phase. Piezoelectric quartz crystals coated with a 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) imprinted polymer gave responses which were consistently 5–10 Hz (1.1–1.3 times) higher than those of sensors coated with a non-imprinted polymer. Geosmin, another tertiary alcohol odorant with an earthy odor resembling, and often accompanying MIB, produced almost equal responses on either imprinted- or non-imprinted sensors. A number of other odorants were examined and their responses to the non-imprinted sensors were found to be similar to or greater than their responses to the imprinted sensors. The responses of MIB to the imprinted sensors were always the highest, while other odorants produced equal or higher responses using the non-imprinted sensor. The sensor has a detection limit of ca. 5 mg l⁻¹ and a dynamic range of at least 1000 mg l^−l. When the time taken for the sensor to stabilize is used as the response, instead of the frequency change, the detection limit is lowered to ca. 200 μg l^−l.     

Investigation of the reliability of piezoelectric chemical sensors

The aim of the research was to study the functional change of sensitivity, selectivity and overall stability of piezoelectric chemical sensors. A test device was built and experiments have been carried out to estimate the degradation of the piezoelectric sensor performance. Sensing materials were inspected by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to investigate the surface structures. Strong correlation was found between the reliability and the quality of the sensing material surface. The surface formation depended upon the physical and chemical properties of the sensing materials. Both the electrostatic and structural features influenced the interactions between the sensor surface and the analytes. Interactions during the adsorption and desorption of volatile compounds could not only be estimated by the van der Waals interactions. The contact area of interactions, where the secondary chemical forces play a significant role, was determined by the surface structure and the molecular structure of the sensing material. Polarity and different surface formation were found to be the most important factors to improve the discrimination capability of piezoelectric chemical sensors. The same investigations were repeated after 3 months. The most remarkable comparison was the appearance of the SEM images. A relationship was also recognized between the elapsed time and the degradation of the selectivity of the detectors. The method developed can be used to estimate the applicability of a piezoelectric chemical sensor.     

Assembly of nanozeolite monolayers on the gold substrates of piezoelectric sensors

Colloidal zeolites NaA (LTA structure type) and ZSM-5 (MFI-type) with crystal diameters of about 100 nm were synthesized as building blocks for the formation of microporous self-limiting monolayers on the piezo-active area (gold electrodes) of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Two different coupling strategies were explored, concerning the modification of either the gold substrate or the external zeolite crystal surface with a bifunctional molecular interface. Diverse analytical methods were employed to fully characterize the materials (dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, solid state 29Si NMR spectroscopy, N2 sorption) and to study the process of coupling the zeolite crystals to the gold surface (reflection-absorption IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy). The molecularly selective sensing behavior of these zeolite-coated devices is demonstrated by measuring the full adsorption isotherms of n-butane and i-butane in the microporous films.     

Calibration method for determination of acids and bases with piezoelectric quartz crystal sensors

Based on the linear relation between the frequency response of the piezoelectric quartz crystal sensor and the conductivity of the solution to be measured, calibration models for quantitative analysis of acid and base systems are derived and are verified both theoretically and experimentally. Then quantitative determinations of aspirin and penicilline were done with the calibration technique. The quantitative analysis results of the two true pharmaceutical systems indicate that the models, combining linear regression, can give precise and accurate concentration estimates, which can reduce the influence of the presence of interferences.     

Adsorption of metal ions from solution onto a piezoelectric quartz crystal

Many metal ions are spontaneously adsorbed onto a piezoelectric quartz crystal and change the oscillation frequency. The pH ranges in which the metal ions adsorbed were just below that of precipitate formation as the ‘hydroxides’; frequency changes caused by adsorption were not observed in these pH ranges where the ‘hydroxides’ formed. Cationic organic reagents, such as crystal violet and methylene blue, were also adsorbed on the piezoelectric quartz crystal but non-ionic and anionic organic compounds were not. These results showed that the crystal was negatively charged on the surface.     

Studies on an antibody-coated tube method of aldosterone

We studied on the basic performance of a non-extraction coated tube RIA kit, DPC Aldosterone kit (Nippon DPC Corporation). 1. The average binding CVs of the calibrators (25 to 1,200 pg/ml) were stable in a range from 1.4 to 1.9%. 2. The minimum sensitivity was 17 pg/ml from 2SD method of 0 calibrator. 3. The intra-assay reproducibility test showed an average CV as 9.0%, and the inter-assay test showed as 8.8%. 4. The recovery ratios of a recovery test were 85.4 to 121.6%. 5. The correlation test with another maker's kit showed a correlation curve as y = 0.970 x + 19.68 and a correlation coefficiency as r = 0.970. 6. The normal range, the correlation between fasting recumbency and daytime sitting, and the correlation between walking and resting, showed similar results as former reports.     

Determination of ammonia in the air using piezoelectric resonance sensors coated with humic acids

Natural macromolecular compounds, humic acids (HA), have been used to form gas-sensitive layers of piezoelectric resonance gravimetric sensors. HA have been extracted from humus using alkaline extraction and purified by electrodialysis through ion-exchange membranes. Species have been deposited onto the electrode surface of piezoelectric quartz resonators by air-spraying their aqueous solutions, the layer thickness being 100–200 nm. In determining ammonia with the sensor obtained on the basis of purified HA species, the detection limit is ∼10 mg/m³. Gas-sensitive layers on the basis of humic acids are more stable as compared to the conventionally used gas-sensitive layers based on pyridoxine hydrochloride or ascorbic acid.     

Adsorption studies of cationic starch onto quartz surface through an electrode-separated piezoelectric sensor

In the construction of an electrode-separated piezoelectric sensor (ESPS), the quartz surface is in direct contact with the liquid phase. The negatively charged quartz crystal surface can adsorb cationic starch. This adsorption process was in situ monitored from the frequency shift of the ESPS. It was shown that the adsorption of cationic starch onto the quartz surface is reversible with respect the dilution of the bulk phase. The adsorption behavior can be described by Langmuir model. The adsorption density and kinetics parameters were estimated from the frequency responses of the ESPS. The influence of pH and ionic strength on adsorption parameters was investigated. It was shown that the influence of pH on the adsorption rate was slight. With increasing ionic strength, the rate constants for adsorption and desorption increase, but the adsorption equilibrium constant and saturation adsorption density decrease. The adsorption equilibrium constant and adsorption density reach a maximum in buffer of pH 10.     

A perfume odour-sensing system using an array of piezoelectric crystal sensors with plasticized PVC coatings

Using PVC polymer as membrane matrix and di-n-octylphenyl phosphate (DOPP) as plasticizer, a piezoelectric crystal sensor (PCS) array with 12 adsorptive materials selected from 68 compounds by cluster analysis has been constructed as a perfume odour-sensing system. The frequency shift data obtained from the sensor array responding to four commercial perfume odours are first autoscaled and then treated by principal component analysis. The experimental results show that the plasticized PVC membrane PCS array provides improved performance of pattern recognition compared with the single adsorptive coating PCS array. The frequency shift response characteristics of these sensors have been investigated experimentally. The proposed sensor array has also been applied to the classification of commercial spirituous liquor, wine and soft drink samples, as well as aliphatic alcohol homologues and isomers.     

A perfume odour-sensing system using an array of piezoelectric crystal sensors with plasticized PVC coatings

Using PVC polymer as membrane matrix and di-n-octylphenyl phosphate (DOPP) as plasticizer, a piezoelectric crystal sensor (PCS) array with 12 adsorptive materials selected from 68 compounds by cluster analysis has been constructed as a perfume odour-sensing system. The frequency shift data obtained from the sensor array responding to four commercial perfume odours are first autoscaled and then treated by principal component analysis. The experimental results show that the plasticized PVC membrane PCS array provides improved performance of pattern recognition compared with the single adsorptive coating PCS array. The frequency shift response characteristics of these sensors have been investigated experimentally. The proposed sensor array has also been applied to the classification of commercial spirituous liquor, wine and soft drink samples, as well as aliphatic alcohol homologues and isomers.     

Adsorption studies of dodecylamine at the quartz interface using an electrode-separated piezoelectric sensor

The adsorption process of dodecylammonium chloride (DAC) from aqueous solutions onto a quartz crystal interface was investigated in situ using an electrode-separated piezoelectric sensor (ESPS). Increasing amounts of DAC adsorbed onto a quartz crystal surface resulted in linearly decreasing oscillating frequencies of the ESPS. The adsorption density can be monitored by the frequency decrease. The adsorption density obtained by calculation using the Sauerbrey equation in the ESPS method is greater than that in solution depletion method. A calibration coefficient is added into the Sauerbrey equation to correct the influence of surface roughness of the quartz crystal on the adsorption density. The influence of solution properties on the adsorption density measurement was discussed. A dependence of the adsorption density on pH was reported. Received: 17 April 1997 / Revised: 1 December 1997 / Accepted: 7 December 1997     

Adsorption studies of dodecylamine at the quartz interface using an electrode-separated piezoelectric sensor

The adsorption process of dodecylammonium chloride (DAC) from aqueous solutions onto a quartz crystal interface was investigated in situ using an electrode-separated piezoelectric sensor (ESPS). Increasing amounts of DAC adsorbed onto a quartz crystal surface resulted in linearly decreasing oscillating frequencies of the ESPS. The adsorption density can be monitored by the frequency decrease. The adsorption density obtained by calculation using the Sauerbrey equation in the ESPS method is greater than that in solution depletion method. A calibration coefficient is added into the Sauerbrey equation to correct the influence of surface roughness of the quartz crystal on the adsorption density. The influence of solution properties on the adsorption density measurement was discussed. A dependence of the adsorption density on pH was reported. Received: 17 April 1997 / Revised: 1 December 1997 / Accepted: 7 December 1997     

A new type of piezoelectric detector in liquid: Part 2. Computation of the equivalent circuit parameters of a piezoelectric crystal with a separated electrode and of series piezoelectric sensors in a non-electrolyte solution

An improved equivalent circuit model is proposed for a piezoelectric crystal with a separated electrode. Equations are derived for the equivalent circuit parameters in a non-electrolyte solution and are verified experimentally. The resonance frequency f_s is given by f_s = f₀[1 + C₁/2(C′₀ + C_s)], where f₀, C₁ and C′₀ are the resonance frequency, motional capacitance and the shunt capacitance of the crystal respectively and C_s is the solution capacitance. The mechanical quality factor is the same as that of the crystal. The motional resistance, motional inductance, motional capacitance and shunt capacitance are respectively K², K², K⁻² and K⁻¹ times those of the crystal, where K = 1 + C′₀/C_s. The influence of the permittivity, density and viscosity of the solution and the configuration of the sensors on the equivalent parameters are investigated. The equivalent circuit parameters of a series piezoelectric crystal are also calculated and measured.     

压电晶体传感器阵列用于混合有机溶剂蒸气中官能团的识别

为模拟生物化学传感体系, 提出了可用于识别有机官能团的传感器阵列, 用作人工气味识别系统。该阵列由八个压电晶体传感器组成, 每个传感器涂以具有广谱响应性能的不同吸附活性材料, 阵列对常见小分子有机溶剂混合蒸气的响应频移数据采用逐步判别分析(SDA)处理, 选出五个供信能力最佳的判别变量, 以此构成的阵列用于小分子有机溶剂混合蒸气中醇羟基、羰基与其它官能团的识别, 并采用主成分分析(PCA)法降维投影, 在二维空间含相同官能团的物质聚为一类; 阵列可用于酒类、软饮料的识别。     

Organophosphine transition metal complexes as selective surfaces for the reversible detection of sulfur dioxide with piezoelectric crystal sensors

Some organotransition metal complexes, bis (sulfur dioxide)tetrakis (triphenylphosphine oxide) manganese(II)dioxide [Mn(OPPh₃)₄I₂(SO₂)₂] and bis(tribenzylphosphine)copper(II) thiophenolate [Cu(PBz₃)₂SPh], were identified as candidate coatings for the detection of sulfur dioxide on piezoelectric crystal sensors. After treatment to form the mono (sulfur dioxide) adduct, the first complex binds sulfur dioxide to reform the bis adduct, and can be used as a coating for an integrating piezoelectric sensor. The initial complex can be regenerated by placing the coated piezoelectric sensor under vacuum for 4 h. The specified copper complex was found to act as a reversible coating for the detection sulfur dioxide in the range 10–1000 mg l^?1.     

Physicochemical characteristics of the reaction of vapors of organic liquids with divinyl-styrene and isoprene polymer films of piezoelectric chemical sorption sensors

The reaction of vapors of organic liquids with films of carbon-chain polymers was studied on piezoelectric quartz resonators. Physicochemical characteristics of sorption processes in the system vapor-film sorbent were determined in the region obeying Henry’s law. It was concluded that divinyl-styrene polymer can be used in piezoelectric chemical sensors for environmental control of trace organic toxicants.     

Determination of phenanthrene by antibody-coated competitive real-time immuno-PCR assay

A reliable selective and sensitive antibody-coated competitive real-time immuno-PCR (RT-IPCR) assay for the determination of phenanthrene (PH) was developed. Phenanthrene butanoic acid (γ-oxo-PHA) was synthesized as the hapten of PH. An active ester method was used to couple the PHA to bovine serum albumin to form an artificial immune antigen. Male New Zealand white rabbits were immunized with immune antigen to obtain polyclonal antibodies, with which a novel RT-IPCR assay for determination of PH was developed. Under the optimized assay conditions, PH can be determined in the concentration range from 10 fg/mL to 100 pg/mL with a detection limit of 5 fg/mL. The cross-reactivities of the anti-PH antibody to seven structurally related compounds were below 12.5%. Some environmental water samples were analyzed with satisfactory results, which showed good accuracy and suitability to analyze PH in environmental water. Compared with high-performance liquid chromatography, the recovery was lower or higher with agitation but would still be acceptable for use in an on-site field test to provide rapid, semiquantitative, and reliable test results for making environmental decisions.     

气固吸附与Gibbs吸附等温式

讨论了G ibbs吸附等温式对气固吸附的应用。它不仅能结合吸附层的物理模型建立各种实用的气固吸附等温式,而且还能由已知的吸附量推测吸附过程中界面自由能随平衡压力的变化规律。