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

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