Microwave-based sensors with phthalocyanine films for acetone, ethanol and methanol detection

The utilization of novel comb copolymer phthalocyanine (Pc) thin films as sensitive layers for microwave gas sensors at room temperature under exposure to various volatile organic compounds are presented. The microwave gas sensors are based on an interdigital capacitor fabricated in a microstrip line technique with adequate layers and dimensions. The developed sensors were tested for acetone, ethanol and methanol in the range of 0-200 ppm with special emphasis to the range of 0-25 ppm. The presented sensors will be used as a part of a microsystem for exhaled breath analysis, i.e. diabetes biomarkers detection. All the measurements are carried out at room temperature. The obtained results confirmed the possibility of utilization the microwave Pc-based sensors for exhaled acetone measurements. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.