Method of using an absorptive sensor element

• US 9,279,792 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2012
• Issued: 03/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Palazzotto, Michael C., Gryska, Stefan H., Kang, Myungchan, Wendland, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hollington, Jermele M
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOQUE, FARHANA AKHTER
• Application Number:
  US14/007,106
• Publication Number:
  US 20150109003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,442 Days
• Field of Search: 356/402, 324658-690
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/55 Specular reflectivity
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/783 for analysing gases
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/22 by investigating capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/227 Sensors changing capacitance upon adsorption or absorption of fluid components, e.g. electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor sensors, MOS capacitors G01N27/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/00 Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0047 for organic compounds

Abstract

A method of using an absorptive sensor element includes: providing the absorptive sensor element, heating the absorptive sensor element to a temperature in a range of from 30° C. to 100° C., exposing the absorptive sensor element to an analyte vapor, and measuring a capacitance-related property of the absorptive sensor element and/or a spectral feature upon reflection of incident light. The absorptive sensor element comprises: a substrate, a first member disposed on the substrate, a second member, and a detection layer comprising a polymer of intrinsic microporosity disposed between and contacting the first member and the second member.

Claims

1. A method of using an absorptive sensor element, the method comprising the steps:

a) providing the absorptive sensor element, wherein the absorptive sensor element comprises;

a first member, a second member, and a detection layer comprising a polymer of intrinsic microporosity disposed between and contacting the first member and the second member;

b) heating the absorptive sensor element to an elevated temperature in a range of from 30°

C. to 100°

C.;

while the absorptive sensor element is at the elevated temperature, performing step c) and d);

c) exposing the absorptive sensor element to an analyte vapor; and

d) measuring at least one of;

i) a capacitance-related property of the absorptive sensor element, wherein the first member and the second member are conductive, and wherein the detection layer is dielectric;

ii) at least one spectral feature of reflected light, wherein the first member is reflective, the second member is semi-reflective, and the detection layer is optically transmissive, wherein a portion of the reflected light is reflected by the first member and wherein a portion of the reflected light is reflected by the second member;

or

iii) both i) and ii).

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first member is supported on a substrate.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second member is supported on a substrate.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein step d) comprises i).

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein step d) comprises ii).

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the elevated temperature is in a range of from 40°

C. to 80°

C.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the elevated temperature is in a range of from 50°

C. to 65°

C.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein step d) comprises measuring iii).