ARS | Publication request: Hydrogen-Bond Basic Siloxane Phosphonate Polymers for Surface Acoustic Wave (Saw) Sensors

Submitted to: Elsevier
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: December 7, 2005
Publication Date: June 26, 2006
Citation: Gallagher, S., Hartmann-Thompson, C., Keeley, D.L. 2006. Hydrogen-Bond Basic Siloxane Phosphonate Polymers for Surface Acoustic Wave (Saw) Sensors. Elsevier. 115(2):697-699.

Interpretive Summary: The last several years has seen a significant effort to improve early detection of chemical weapons. This technology relies on the use of sensor molecules capable of interacting with the compounds of concern. The sensor molecules must then communicate via a computer interface to produce an alarm and ideally a detection level alert. Finally, the materials must bind in a reversible manner in order to signal that an area or space is clear of contaminates. A novel group of functionalized siloxane polymers has been developed to act as hydrogen-bond basic sensors. These new polymers have been shown to significantly out-perform the industries current standard. Current concern over national security have examined the possibility of tampering with both the United States crop and water supply. Development of accurate sensors which are portable, easy to use, and field deployable are felt to be critical to current national security interests.

Technical Abstract: A surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor coated with a novel hydrogen-bond basic siloxane phosphonate SAW polymer gave excellent initial response and long-term performance when tested against phenol vapor and compared with polyethyleneimine (PEI), a conventional hydrogent-bond basic SAW polymer.