COMBINATION OF SINGLE-CRYSTAL ZEOLITES AND MICROFABRICATION - 2 APPLICATIONS TOWARDS ZEOLITE NANODEVICES

We present two novel approaches to using zeolite crystals for 'nanodev ices'. First, single crystal zeolites have been aligned within the gro oves of micromachined silicon wafers for a three-dimensional ordering of dye molecules (p-nitroaniline). The orientation of p-nitroaniline m olecules absorbed within the channel system of the aligned zeolites by steric constraints provides an opportunity to study the optical prope rties of the composite. Second, zeolites with their high surface-to-ma ss ratio and selectivity are ideal materials to enhance the sensitivit y of micron scale sensor devices to loading. As an example, experiment al data on humidity sensing using a few single crystal zeolites attach ed to a cantilever sensor is presented. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.