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Mao J, Liu L, Atwa Y, Hou J, Wu Z, Shakeel H. Colorimetric Signal Readout for the Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds Using a Printable Glass-Based Dielectric Barrier Discharge-Type Helium Plasma Detector. ACS MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AU 2023; 3:287-300. [PMID: 37600462 PMCID: PMC10436375 DOI: 10.1021/acsmeasuresciau.3c00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we report on a printable glass-based manufacturing method and a new proof-of-concept colorimetric signal readout scheme for a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)-type helium plasma photoionization detector. The sensor consists of a millimeter-sized glass chamber manufactured using a printable glass suspension. Plasma inside the chip is generated using a custom-built power supply (900 V and 83.6 kHz), and the detector uses ∼5 W of power. Our new detection scheme is based on detecting the change in the color of plasma after the introduction of target gases. The change in color is first captured by a smartphone camera as a video output. The recorded video is then processed and converted to an image light intensity vs retention time plot (gas chromatogram) using three standard color space models (red, green, blue (RGB), hue, saturation, lightness (HSL), and hue, saturation, value (HSV)) with RGB performing the best among the three models. We successfully detected three different categories of volatile organic compounds using our new detection scheme and a 30-m-long gas chromatography column: (1) straight-chain alkanes (n-pentane, n-hexane, n-heptane, n-octane, and n-nonane), (2) aromatics (benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene), and (3) polar compounds (acetone, ethanol, and dichloromethane). The best limit of detection of 10 ng was achieved for benzene at room temperature. Additionally, the device showed excellent performance for different types of sample mixtures consisting of three and five compounds. Our new detector readout method combined with our ability to print complex glass structures provides a new research avenue to analyze complex gas mixtures and their components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingqin Mao
- School
of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, U.K.
| | - Longze Liu
- School
of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, U.K.
| | - Yahya Atwa
- School
of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, U.K.
| | - Junming Hou
- State
Key Laboratory of Millimeter Waves, School of Information Science
and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Zhenxun Wu
- Queen’s
Management School, Queen’s University
Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, U.K.
| | - Hamza Shakeel
- School
of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, U.K.
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2
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Huang X, Sharma R, Sivakumar AD, Yang S, Fan X. Ultrathin Silica Integration for Enhancing Reliability of Microfluidic Photoionization Detectors. Anal Chem 2023; 95:8496-8504. [PMID: 37278057 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic photoionization detectors (μPIDs) based on silicon chips can rapidly and sensitively detect volatile compounds. However, the applications of μPID are limited by the manual assembly process using glue, which may outgas and clog the fluidic channel, and by the short lifetime of the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) lamps (especially, argon lamps). Here, we developed a gold-gold cold welding-based microfabrication process to integrate ultrathin (10 nm) silica into μPID. The silica coating enables direct bonding of the VUV window to silicon under amicable conditions and works as a moisture and plasma exposure barrier for VUV windows that are susceptible to hygroscopicity and solarization. Detailed characterization of the silica coating was conducted, showing that the 10 nm silica coating allows 40-80% VUV transmission from 8.5 to 11.5 eV. It is further shown that the silica-protected μPID maintained 90% of its original sensitivity after 2200 h of exposure to ambient (dew point = 8.0 ± 1.8 °C), compared to 39% without silica. Furthermore, argon plasma inside an argon VUV lamp was identified as the dominant degradation source for the LiF window with color centers formation in UV-vis and VUV transmission spectra. Ultrathin silica was then also demonstrated effective in protecting the LiF from argon plasma exposure. Lastly, thermal annealing was found to bleach the color centers and restore VUV transmission of degraded LiF windows effectively, which will lead to future development of a new type of VUV lamp and the corresponding μPID (and PID in general) that can be mass produced with a high yield, a longer lifetime, and better regenerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaheng Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Max Harry Weil Institute for Critical Care Research and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Ruchi Sharma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Max Harry Weil Institute for Critical Care Research and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Anjali Devi Sivakumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Max Harry Weil Institute for Critical Care Research and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Shuo Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Max Harry Weil Institute for Critical Care Research and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Xudong Fan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Max Harry Weil Institute for Critical Care Research and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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3
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Rachkidi M, Alonso-Sobrado L, Raffin G, Colinet E, Randon J. Dual detection chromatographic method for fast characterization of nano-gravimetric detector. Talanta 2023; 257:124359. [PMID: 36801761 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.124359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Nano-gravimetric detector (NGD) has been recently introduced as miniaturized gas chromatography detector. The NGD response is based on an adsorption-desorption mechanism of compounds between the gaseous phase and the NGD porous oxide layer. The NGD response was characterized by hyphenating NGD in-line with FID detector and a chromatographic column. Such method led to the full adsorption-desorption isotherms of several compounds in a single run. Langmuir model was used to describe the experimental isotherms, and the initial slope of the isotherm (Mm.KT) obtained at low gas concentration was used to compare the NGD response for different compounds (good repeatability was demonstrated with a relative standard deviation lower than 3%). The column-NGD-FID hyphenated method was validated using alkane compounds according to the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain and to the NGD temperature (all results agreed with thermodynamic relations associated to partition coefficient). Furthermore, relative response factor to alkanes, for ketones, alkylbenzenes, and fatty acid methyl esters have been obtained. These relative response index values led to easier calibration of NGD. The established methodology can be used for any sensor characterization based on adsorption mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Rachkidi
- APIX Analytics, 38000, Grenoble, France; Université de Lyon, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Institut des Sciences Analytiques, UMR 5280, F-69100, Villeurbanne, France.
| | | | - Guy Raffin
- Université de Lyon, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Institut des Sciences Analytiques, UMR 5280, F-69100, Villeurbanne, France
| | | | - Jérôme Randon
- Université de Lyon, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Institut des Sciences Analytiques, UMR 5280, F-69100, Villeurbanne, France
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4
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Liu L, Wang Y, Liu Y, Wang S, Li T, Feng S, Qin S, Zhang T. Heteronanostructural metal oxide-based gas microsensors. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2022; 8:85. [PMID: 35911378 PMCID: PMC9329395 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-022-00410-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The development of high-performance, portable and miniaturized gas sensors has aroused increasing interest in the fields of environmental monitoring, security, medical diagnosis, and agriculture. Among different detection tools, metal oxide semiconductor (MOS)-based chemiresistive gas sensors are the most popular choice in commercial applications and have the advantages of high stability, low cost, and high sensitivity. One of the most important ways to further enhance the sensor performance is to construct MOS-based nanoscale heterojunctions (heteronanostructural MOSs) from MOS nanomaterials. However, the sensing mechanism of heteronanostructural MOS-based sensors is different from that of single MOS-based gas sensors in that it is fairly complex. The performance of the sensors is influenced by various parameters, including the physical and chemical properties of the sensing materials (e.g., grain size, density of defects, and oxygen vacancies of materials), working temperatures, and device structures. This review introduces several concepts in the design of high-performance gas sensors by analyzing the sensing mechanism of heteronanostructural MOS-based sensors. In addition, the influence of the geometric device structure determined by the interconnection between the sensing materials and the working electrodes is discussed. To systematically investigate the sensing behavior of the sensor, the general sensing mechanism of three typical types of geometric device structures based on different heteronanostructural materials are introduced and discussed in this review. This review will provide guidelines for readers studying the sensing mechanism of gas sensors and designing high-performance gas sensors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Liu
- i-Lab, Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Smart Systems, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Suzhou, Jiangsu China
| | - Yingyi Wang
- i-Lab, Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Smart Systems, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Suzhou, Jiangsu China
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, Jiangsu China
| | - Yinhang Liu
- i-Lab, Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Smart Systems, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Suzhou, Jiangsu China
- Department of Nano Science and Nano Technology Institute, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou, Jiangsu China
| | - Shuqi Wang
- i-Lab, Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Smart Systems, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Suzhou, Jiangsu China
| | - Tie Li
- i-Lab, Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Smart Systems, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Suzhou, Jiangsu China
| | - Simin Feng
- i-Lab, Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Smart Systems, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Suzhou, Jiangsu China
| | - Sujie Qin
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, Jiangsu China
| | - Ting Zhang
- i-Lab, Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Smart Systems, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Suzhou, Jiangsu China
- Nano-X, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Suzhou, Jiangsu China
- School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui PR China
- Gusu Laboratory of Materials, Suzhou, Jiangsu PR China
- Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, PR China
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5
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Miranda A, De Beule PAA. Atmospheric Photoionization Detector with Improved Photon Efficiency: A Proof of Concept for Application of a Nanolayer Thin-Film Electrode. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21227738. [PMID: 34833813 PMCID: PMC8621543 DOI: 10.3390/s21227738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Atmospheric photoionization is a widely applied soft ionization mechanism in gas sensing devices for the detection of volatile organic compounds in ambient air. Photoionization is typically induced by low-pressure Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV) lamps with MgF2 or LiF lamp surface windows depending on the gas fill and the required wavelength transmission window. These lamps are known to exhibit gradually reduced VUV transmission due to hydrocarbon contamination. LiF surface windows are known to be especially problematic due to their hygroscopic nature, reducing VUV lamp lifetime to a mere 100 h, approximately. Here, we present a new design for the electrode of a photoionization detector based on thin-film technology. By replacing the commonplace metal grid electrode's VUV lamp surface window with a chromium/gold thin film we obtain a doubling of photon efficiency for photoionization. Replacing the hygroscopic LiF lamp window surface with a metallic layer additionally offers the possibility to vastly increase operational lifetime of low-pressure Argon VUV lamps.
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6
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Wei-Hao Li M, Ghosh A, Venkatasubramanian A, Sharma R, Huang X, Fan X. High-Sensitivity Micro-Gas Chromatograph-Photoionization Detector for Trace Vapor Detection. ACS Sens 2021; 6:2348-2355. [PMID: 34028248 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.1c00482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Rapid in situ detection and analysis of trace vapor concentrations at a sub-parts per billion to parts per trillion level remains a challenge for many applications such as indoor air-quality analysis and detection of explosives and narcotics. Micro-gas chromatography (μGC) together with a micro-photoionization detector (μPID) is a prominent method for portable analysis of complex vapor mixtures, but current μPID technology demonstrates poor detection performance compared to benchtop flame ionization detectors (FIDs). This work demonstrates the development of a significantly improved μPID with a sub-picogram detection limit (as low as ∼0.2 pg) comparable to or exceeding that of a benchtop FID, with a large linear dynamic range (>4 orders of magnitude) and robustness (high stability over 200 h of plasma activation). Based on this μPID, a complete μGC-PID system was built and tested on standard sample chromatograms in a laboratory setting to show the system's analytical capabilities and the detection limit down to sub-parts per trillion concentrations (as low as 0.14 ppt). Practical in-field chromatograms on breath and car exhaust were also generated to demonstrate applicability for in situ experimentation. This work shows that μGC-PID systems can be competitive with traditional GC-FID methods and thus opens a door to rapid trace vapor analysis in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell Wei-Hao Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Abhishek Ghosh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Anandram Venkatasubramanian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Ruchi Sharma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Xiaolu Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Xudong Fan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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7
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Wang B, Wang YF, Wang Z, Hou ZY. Ionic Current Extraction in an Electrostatic-Fluid-Based Tripolar System for Ethanol Sensing. ACS Sens 2021; 6:908-914. [PMID: 33439635 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.0c02099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We report a microfluidics-based tripolar system to extract the ionic current from the gas discharge process for gas sensing, which is structurally and fluidically compatible with the gas chromatography (GC) systems. The tripolar system was fabricated based on the microelectromechanical systems technology and tested as a gas detector with the assistance of a GC column under different external factors, that is, the applied voltages and the gas flow rates. An analytical model is proposed to address the ion extraction behavior under the coupling effect of the electric field and flow field. The extracted ionic current is demonstrated to have a higher signal quality than the corresponding discharge current for ethanol sensing, regarding the signal-to-noise ratio and selectivity. Moreover, the variation behavior of the ionic current corroborates the description of the physical model. The miniaturized tripolar system constitutes an effective approach to ion extraction for gas sensing under the working voltage down to 40 V, which can be applied as a gas detector in a portable GC system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Key Laboratory for Thin Film and Microfabrication of Ministry of Education, Department of Micro/Nano Electronics, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yan-Fang Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Key Laboratory for Thin Film and Microfabrication of Ministry of Education, Department of Micro/Nano Electronics, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zi Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Key Laboratory for Thin Film and Microfabrication of Ministry of Education, Department of Micro/Nano Electronics, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhong-Yu Hou
- National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Key Laboratory for Thin Film and Microfabrication of Ministry of Education, Department of Micro/Nano Electronics, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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8
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Jin T, Zhou J, Lin PT. Real-time and non-destructive hydrocarbon gas sensing using mid-infrared integrated photonic circuits. RSC Adv 2020; 10:7452-7459. [PMID: 33425327 PMCID: PMC7793566 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra10058j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A chip-scale mid-infrared (mid-IR) sensor was developed for hydrocarbon gas detection. The sensor consisted of amorphous Si (a-Si) optical ridge waveguides that were fabricated by complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) processes. The waveguide exhibited a sharp fundamental mode through λ = 2.70 to 3.50 μm. Its sensing performance was characterized by measuring methane and acetylene. From the spectral mode attenuation, the characteristic C–H absorption bands associated with methane and acetylene were found at λ = 3.29–3.33 μm and λ = 3.00–3.06 μm, respectively. In addition, real-time methane and acetylene concentration monitoring was demonstrated at λ = 3.02 and 3.32 μm. Hence, the mid-IR waveguide sensor enabled an accurate and instantaneous analysis of hydrocarbon gas mixtures. A chip-scale mid-infrared (mid-IR) sensor was developed for hydrocarbon gas detection.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiening Jin
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Junchao Zhou
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Pao Tai Lin
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.,Center for Remote Health Technologies and Systems, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
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9
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Rezende GC, Le Calvé S, Brandner JJ, Newport D. Micro Milled Microfluidic Photoionization Detector for Volatile Organic Compounds. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:mi10040228. [PMID: 30934994 PMCID: PMC6523568 DOI: 10.3390/mi10040228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Government regulations and environmental conditions are pushing the development of improved miniaturized gas analyzers for volatile organic compounds. One of the many detectors used for gas analysis is the photoionization detector (PID). This paper presents the design and characterization of a microfluidic photoionization detector (or µPID) fabricated using micro milling and electrical discharge machining techniques. This device has no glue and facilitates easy replacement of components. Two materials and fabrication techniques are proposed to produce a layer on the electrodes to protect from ultraviolet (UV) light and possible signal noise generation. Three different microchannels are tested experimentally and their results are compared. The channel with highest electrode area (31.17 mm²) and higher volume (6.47 µL) produces the highest raw signal and the corresponding estimated detection limit is 0.6 ppm for toluene without any amplification unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo C Rezende
- Bernal Institute, School of Engineering, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland.
| | - Stéphane Le Calvé
- Université de Strasbourg, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), ICPEES UMR 7515, F-67087 Strasbourg, France.
- In'Air Solutions, 25 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Jürgen J Brandner
- Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.
| | - David Newport
- Bernal Institute, School of Engineering, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland.
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10
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Ghosh A, Vilorio CR, Hawkins AR, Lee ML. Microchip gas chromatography columns, interfacing and performance. Talanta 2018; 188:463-492. [PMID: 30029402 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.04.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Almost four decades of investigations have opened up many avenues to explore the production and utilization of planar (i.e., microchip) gas chromatographic columns. However, there remain many practical constraints that limit their widespread commercialization and use. The main challenges arise from non-ideal column geometries, dead volume issues and inadequate interfacing technologies, which all affect both column performance and range of applications. This review reflects back over the years on the extensive developments in the field, with the goal to stimulate future creative approaches and increased efforts to accelerate microchip gas chromatography development toward reaching its full potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijit Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Carlos R Vilorio
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Aaron R Hawkins
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Milton L Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA.
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11
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Jin T, Zhou J, Wang Z, Gutierrez-Osuna R, Ahn C, Hwang W, Park K, Lin PT. Real-Time Gas Mixture Analysis Using Mid-Infrared Membrane Microcavities. Anal Chem 2018; 90:4348-4353. [PMID: 29509404 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b03599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Real-time gas analysis on-a-chip was demonstrated using a mid-infrared (mid-IR) microcavity. Optical apertures for the microcavity were made of ultrathin silicate membranes embedded in a silicon chip using the complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) shows that the silicate membrane is transparent in the range of 2.5-6.0 μm, a region that overlaps with multiple characteristic gas absorption lines and therefore enables gas detection applications. A test station integrating a mid-IR tunable laser, a microgas delivery system, and a mid-IR camera was assembled to evaluate the gas detection performance. CH4, CO2, and N2O were selected as analytes due to their strong absorption bands at λ = 3.25-3.50, 4.20-4.35, and 4.40-4.65 μm, which correspond to C-H, C-O, and O-N stretching, respectively. A short subsecond response time and high gas identification accuracy were achieved. Therefore, our chip-scale mid-IR sensor provides a new platform for an in situ, remote, and embedded gas monitoring system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Charles Ahn
- Crucialtec Co., LTD , Seongnam-si , Gyeonggi-do 13486 , South Korea
| | - Wonjun Hwang
- Crucialtec Co., LTD , Seongnam-si , Gyeonggi-do 13486 , South Korea
| | - Ken Park
- Crucialtec Co., LTD , Seongnam-si , Gyeonggi-do 13486 , South Korea
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12
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Zhu H, Zhou M, Lee J, Nidetz R, Kurabayashi K, Fan X. Low-Power Miniaturized Helium Dielectric Barrier Discharge Photoionization Detectors for Highly Sensitive Vapor Detection. Anal Chem 2016; 88:8780-6. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b02180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Zhu
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Center
for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Menglian Zhou
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Center
for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Jiwon Lee
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Center
for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Robert Nidetz
- Center
for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2350 Hayward, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Katsuo Kurabayashi
- Center
for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2350 Hayward, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Xudong Fan
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Center
for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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13
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Solid-State Gas Sensors: Sensor System Challenges in the Civil Security Domain. MATERIALS 2016; 9:ma9010065. [PMID: 28787865 PMCID: PMC5456536 DOI: 10.3390/ma9010065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The detection of military high explosives and illicit drugs presents problems of paramount importance in the fields of counter terrorism and criminal investigation. Effectively dealing with such threats requires hand-portable, mobile and affordable instruments. The paper shows that solid-state gas sensors can contribute to the development of such instruments provided the sensors are incorporated into integrated sensor systems, which acquire the target substances in the form of particle residue from suspect objects and which process the collected residue through a sequence of particle sampling, solid-vapor conversion, vapor detection and signal treatment steps. Considering sensor systems with metal oxide gas sensors at the backend, it is demonstrated that significant gains in sensitivity, selectivity and speed of response can be attained when the threat substances are sampled in particle as opposed to vapor form.
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14
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Lee J, Zhou M, Zhu H, Nidetz R, Kurabayashi K, Fan X. In situ calibration of micro-photoionization detectors in a multi-dimensional micro-gas chromatography system. Analyst 2016; 141:4100-7. [DOI: 10.1039/c6an00261g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In situ calibration of PIDs in multi-dimensional GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwon Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- University of Michigan
- Ann Arbor
- USA
- Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2)
| | - Menglian Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- University of Michigan
- Ann Arbor
- USA
- Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2)
| | - Hongbo Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- University of Michigan
- Ann Arbor
- USA
- Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2)
| | - Robert Nidetz
- Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2)
- University of Michigan
- Ann Arbor
- USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
| | - Katsuo Kurabayashi
- Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2)
- University of Michigan
- Ann Arbor
- USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
| | - Xudong Fan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- University of Michigan
- Ann Arbor
- USA
- Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (WIMS2)
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15
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MOWRY CD, PIMENTEL AS, SPARKS ES, MOORMAN MW, ACHYUTHAN KE, MANGINELL RP. Pulsed Discharge Helium Ionization Detector for Highly Sensitive Aquametry. ANAL SCI 2016; 32:177-82. [DOI: 10.2116/analsci.32.177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Curtis D. MOWRY
- Materials Characterization Department, Sandia National Laboratories
| | - Adam S. PIMENTEL
- Materials Characterization Department, Sandia National Laboratories
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16
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Evolved gas composition monitoring by repetitive injection gas chromatography. J Chromatogr A 2015; 1421:129-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2015.07.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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17
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Zhu H, Nidetz R, Zhou M, Lee J, Buggaveeti S, Kurabayashi K, Fan X. Flow-through microfluidic photoionization detectors for rapid and highly sensitive vapor detection. LAB ON A CHIP 2015; 15:3021-3029. [PMID: 26076383 DOI: 10.1039/c5lc00328h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A photoionization detector (PID) is well known for its high sensitivity, large dynamic range, and non-destructive vapor detection capability. However, due to its tardy response, which results from the relatively large ionization chamber and dead volume, the application of the PID in gas chromatography (GC) has been limited. Here, we developed a rapid, flow-through, and highly sensitive microfluidic PID that was microfabricated directly on a conductive silicon wafer. The microfluidic PID has a significantly reduced ionization chamber volume of only 1.3 μL, nearly 10 times smaller than that of state-of-the-art PIDs and over 100 times smaller than that of commercial PIDs. Moreover, it has virtually zero dead volume due to its flow-through design. Consequently, the response time of the microfluidic PID can be considerably shortened, ultimately limited by its residence time (7.8 ms for 10 mL min(-1) and 78 ms for 1 mL min(-1)). Experimentally, the response of the microfluidic PID was measured to be the same as that of the standard flame ionization detector with peak full-widths-at-half-maximum of 0.25 s and 0.085 s for flow rates of 2.3 mL min(-1) and 10 mL min(-1), respectively. Our studies further show that the microfluidic PID was able to detect analytes down to the picogram level (at 3σ of noise) and had a linear dynamic range of six orders of magnitude. Finally, because of the very short distance between the electrodes, low voltage (<10 VDC, over 10 times lower than that in a regular PID) can be used for microfluidic PID operation. This work will open a door to broad applications of PIDs in gas analyzers, in particular, micro-GC and multi-dimensional GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
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18
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Haghighi F, Talebpour Z, Sanati-Nezhad A. Through the years with on-a-chip gas chromatography: a review. LAB ON A CHIP 2015; 15:2559-2575. [PMID: 25994317 DOI: 10.1039/c5lc00283d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the need for measurement and detection of samples in situ or with very small volume and low concentration (low and sub-parts per billion) is a cause for miniaturizing systems via microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology. Gas chromatography (GC) is a common technique that is widely used for separating and measuring semi-volatile and volatile compounds. Conventional GCs are bulky and cannot be used for in situ analysis, hence in the past decades many studies have been reported with the aim of designing and developing chip-based GC. The focus of this review is to follow and investigate the development and the achievements in the field of chip-based GC and its components from the beginning up to the present.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Haghighi
- Chromatographic and Separation Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physics and Chemistry, Alzahra University, Vanak, Tehran, Iran.
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19
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Akbar M, Shakeel H, Agah M. GC-on-chip: integrated column and photoionization detector. LAB ON A CHIP 2015; 15:1748-1758. [PMID: 25673367 DOI: 10.1039/c4lc01461h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This paper reports a unique GC-on-chip module comprising a monolithically integrated semi-packed micro separation column (μSC) and a highly sensitive micro helium discharge photoionization detector (μDPID). While semi-packed μSC with atomic layer deposited (ALD) alumina as a stationary phase provides high separation performance, the μDPID implemented for the first time in a silicon-glass architecture inherits the desirable features of being universal, non-destructive, low power consumption (1.4 mW), and responsive. The integrated chip is 1.5 cm × 3 cm in size and requires a two-mask fabrication process. Monolithic integration alleviates the need for transfer lines between the column and the detector which improves the performance of the individual components with overall reduced fabrication and implementation costs. The chip is capable of operating under the isothermal as well as temperature and flow programming conditions to achieve rapid chromatographic analysis. The chip performance was investigated with two samples: 1) a multi-analyte gas mixture consisting of eight compounds ranging from 98 °C to 174 °C in boiling point and 2) a mixture containing higher alkanes (C9-C12). Our experiments indicate that the chip is capable of providing rapid chromatographic separation and detection of these compounds (<1 min) through the optimization of flow and temperature programming conditions. The GC-on-chip demonstrated a minimum detection limit of ~10 pg which is on a par with the widely used destructive flame ionization detector (FID).
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Affiliation(s)
- M Akbar
- VT MEMS Lab, Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA.
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20
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MANGINELL RP, MOWRY CD, PIMENTEL AS, MANGAN MA, MOORMAN MW, SPARKS ES, ALLEN A, ACHYUTHAN KE. Development of a Mesoscale Pulsed Discharge Helium Ionization Detector for Portable Gas Chromatography. ANAL SCI 2015; 31:1183-8. [DOI: 10.2116/analsci.31.1183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Curtis D. MOWRY
- Materials Characterization Department, Sandia National Laboratories
| | - Adam S. PIMENTEL
- Materials Characterization Department, Sandia National Laboratories
| | - Michael A. MANGAN
- Photonic Microsystems Technologies Department, Sandia National Laboratories
| | | | | | - Amy ALLEN
- Materials Characterization & Performance Department, Sandia National Laboratories
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