Improving the SAW gas sensor: device, electronics and sensor layer

Abstract We have developed a compact gas sensor system based on surface acoustic waves (SAW) devices covered with 15 nm phthalocyanine films. Components necessary for operation of the sensor (electronics and thermostatically controlled sensor mounting) were developed in order to minimize the size of the complete setup. With this apparatus we have carried out long-term experiments in order to test the suitability of lead and copper phthalocyanine as sensor materials for NO2.