Viscoelastic Analysis of a Surface Acoustic Wave Gas Sensor Coated by a New Deposition Technique

An analysis of the response of surface acoustic wave sensors coated with polymer film based on new coating deposition (self-assemble and molecularly imprinted technology) is described and the response formulas are hence deduced. Using the real part of shear modulus, the polymer can be classified into three types: glassy film, glassy-rubbery film and rubbery film. Experimental results show that the attenuation response is in better consistence with the simulation than in Martin's theory, but the velocity response does not accord with the calculation exactly. Maybe it is influenced by the experimental methods and environment. In addition, simulations of gas sorption for polymer films are performed. As for glassy film, the SAW sensor response increases with increasing film thickness, and the relationship between the sensor response and the concentration of gas is pretty linear, while as for glassy-rubbery film and rubbery film, the relationship between the sensor sensitivity and concentration of gas is very complicated. The ultimately calculated results indicate that the relationship between the sensor response and frequency is not always linear due to the viscoelastic properties of the polymer.