CALORIMETRIC DETECTION OF ORGANIC VAPORS USING INCLUSION REACTIONS WITH ORGANIC COATING MATERIALS

The application of calorimetric heat-power sensors for the determinati on of organic vapours using inclusion reactions has been investigated. Crystalline host compounds that are able to form clathrates with orga nic vapour molecules are used as coating materials. Due to the short r esponse time of the monolithic integrated thermopile sensor that is us ed and because of the high reaction rate of inclusion, sensitivities o f practical relevance can be achieved, Furthermore, the use of miniatu rized calorimetric devices opens up new possibilities for studying the mechanism of the inclusion process on the surface of the sensor.