A microfabricated microconcentrator for sensors and gas chromatography

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-9-2003

Abstract

The key component in trace analysis is the concentration step where the analytes are accumulated before the analysis. This paper presents the development of a micromachined microconcentrator that can be used to enhance the sensitivity of microsensors. Another application demonstrated here is a concentrator-injector for a gas chromatograph. The microconcentrators were fabricated on a 6-in. silicon substrate using standard photolithographic techniques (1 in.=2.54 cm). The channels were lined with a resistive layer, through which an electric current could be passed to cause ohmic heating. The preconcentration was done on a thin-film polymeric layer deposited above the heater in the channel. Rapid heating of the resistive layer caused the "desorption pulse" to be injected into the sensor, or onto a GC column. Due to their small size, the microconcentrators could be fabricated 20 to 50 (depending upon the size) at a time on a 6-in. silicon wafer. This paper presents the development and characterization of the microconcentrator. It was found that the microconcentrator performed well as a concentrator, and as an injector for GC. A 14-fold enrichment factor was achieved. The microconcentrator exhibited long-term stability in response, with typical relative standard deviation of between 3 and 5%. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Identifier

0038697738 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Journal of Chromatography A

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9673(03)00560-0

ISSN

00219673

PubMed ID

12830904

First Page

1

Last Page

11

Issue

1-2

Volume

996

Fund Ref

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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