title: High temperature mass detection using a carbon nanotube bilayer modified quartz crystal microbalance as a GC detector.
abstract: A small, portable gas chromatograph (GC) was assembled for the trace detection of controlled substances using a novel quartz crystal microbalance sensor (QCM). The QCM crystal surface was modified with a variety of sorption materials to increase adsorption thereby amplifying mass detection. Single polymer thin film coatings increased the QCM response by 1-2 orders of magnitude, while operating at over 100 °C. Adding a layer of carbonaceous nanomaterial (graphene or carbon nanotubes) above such a film dramatically increased sensitivity by up to 3 orders of magnitude compared to uncoated crystals. Separation and detection of submicrogram quantities of controlled substances was carried out within minutes by employing a GC column and detector temperature ramp up to 220 °C. An additional 10-fold enhancement in sensitivity was achieved by mechanical abrasion of the sample swabs used in the sample introduction process. This study demonstrated a novel use of a polymer composite modified QCM as a chemical sensor at high temperatures.
authors: Seacoast Science, Inc., 2151 Las Palmas Drive, Suite C., Carlsbad, California 92011, United States.
authors: Marcel
authors: M
authors: Benz
authors: Lauren
authors: L
authors: Benz
authors: Sanjay V
authors: SV
authors: Patel
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods*; D061891:Controlled Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D058525:Quartz Crystal Microbalance Techniques / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D061891:Controlled Substances; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011108:Polymers
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