Smoke sensor using mass controlled layer-by-layer self-assembly of polyelectrolytes films

Remarkable smoke-detecting characteristics were established by forming ultra-thin organic films on an electrode of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) by a layer-by-layer sequential adsorption process utilizing polyelectrolytes. The amount of smoke adsorbed onto the polyelectrolyte film was controlled by adjusting the bilayer composition ratio of polycation/polyanion using the automatic dipping machine with a film-mass control system we have developed. The optimization of film structure for the purpose of developing a highly sensitive sensor for smoke was established for the first time. By using a newly built system and these characteristics, an extremely sensitive smoke detector was developed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.