Utilization of Mass and Elastic Loading in Oxide Materials Based SAW Devices for the Detection of Mustard Gas Simulant

Abstract:

The properties (mass loading and elastic changes) of different oxide materials (ZnO, TeO₂, SnO₂, TiO₂) in thin film form has been explored for the enhanced detection of DBS (di butyl sulphide), a simulant of sulphur mustard gas. All the four oxide materials are deposited on to the surface of SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) devices to impart sensitivity and selectivity. ZnO and SnO2 films are crystalline whereas TiO2 and TeO2 films are amorphous in nature. All the films are transparent with transparency greater than 75 % in the visible region. The SAW devices coated with different oxide materials were placed in the feedback loop of colpitt oscillator. With the exposure of DBS vapors, differential frequency increases for TiO₂ thin films whereas for other oxide coatings (ZnO, TeO₂ and SnO₂) it decreases. ZnO coated SAW sensor is found to be maximum sensitive to DBS vapors. Investigation of sensing mechanism revealed that mass loading effect is pronounced in TiO₂ thin film whereas for other films change in elasticity is dominant. The oxide coatings are very less sensitive to the other interferants.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 488-489)
• Pages: 1558-1562
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.488-489.1558
• Online since: March 2012
• Authors: V Bhasker Raj, Harpreet Singh, A. Theodore Nimal, M.U. Sharma, Monika Tomar, Vinay Gupta
• Keywords: Oxide, SAW, Sulphur Mustard

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