Chemical class specificity using self-assembled monolayers on SAW devices: Effects of adsorption time and substrate grain size

The authors report selectivity and sensitivity for 97-MHz SAW (surface acoustic wave) sensors functionalized with (COO{sup {minus}}){sub 2}/Cu{sup 2+}-terminated, organomercaptan-based, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Responses were obtained as a function of SAM formation time on thin Au films of controlled grain size. The authors find that the SAM films (1) preferentially adsorb classes of organic analytes according to simple chemical interaction concepts, (2) reversibly adsorb multilayers of some analytes well below their saturation vapor pressure, (3) adsorb more diisopropylmethylphosphonate (DIMP) at a given partial pressure as SAM solution-phase adsorption time increases, and (4) adsorb more DIMP at a given partial pressure as the grain size of the supporting Au film decreases.