Characterization of bimetallic cantilever for chemical sensor application

A microcantilever stylus offers various possibilities as a high-sensitivity chemical sensor. For high sensitivity, the cantilever stylus should have a very sharp tip, a low force constant; and a high mechanical frequency. In this work, a technique for sensing thermal reaction using a bimetallic Si3N 4 microcantilever is investigated. The temperature change and heat loss of the bimetallic cantilever will lead to an angular bending of the bimetallic lever. Its thermal response was qualitatively examined during an endotherm ic chemical reaction using the optical deflection method. The chemical subs tance used in this experiment is tetradecanol, CH3(CH2)(13)OH, with the kno wn phase transition temperature of 313 K.