Study of gaseous compounds adsorption with a Love wave sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymeric thin film

This work exhibits a Love wave sensor combined with molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). The final aim is for specific detection of colon cancer biomarkers. This paper deals with the validation of a MIP thin film's coating process, allowing high sensitivity of the resulting microsensor. After a brief description of the acoustic sensor and of the MIP coating process, the functionality of the resulting device is proved with electrical characterization. Deep characterization of the thin film - morphology and print effect - is proposed, based on dynamical responses observed under exposure to different vapors. Experimental results point out a good reproducibility of polymeric films. MIP layers increased responses of sensors to vapors by a factor 3 to 4 compared to bare devices or to devices coated with non-imprinted polymer (NIP). For example, exposure to 4000 mg/m3 (2126 ppm) of ethanol in nitrogen induced a frequency shift of -1.4/-0.4 kHz with MIP/NIP-coated sensor, respectively. © 2013 IFSA.