Quartz crystal microbalance sensor for detection of aliphatic amines vapours

A new sensitive and on-line detection of primary aliphatic amines vapours will be established in this work. Based on polyaniline/emeraldine base (PANI/EB) film and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), sensor for amines vapours detection was fabricated. The frequency shifts (Delta f) of the QCM were increased due to the vapour adsorption into the PANI/EB film. Delta f were found to be linearly correlated with the concentrations of amines vapours in mg L(-1). The sensor shows a good reproducibility and reversibility. The diffusion, the diffusion coefficient (D) and the adsorption kinetics of some aliphatic amines vapour into the PANI/EB film were determined and discussed. The D is dependent on the molecular radius of various amines molecules and the thickness of the polymer film thickness. The selectivity of the sensor is based on the differences in the values of the D and the adsorption kinetics of various amine vapours. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.