7.2.1 - A Functionalization-Free Acetone Detector Based on Low Frequency Interfacial Dielectric Relaxation

Event

EUROSENSORS 2026
2026-09-06 - 2026-09-09
Zurich

Band

Lectures

Chapter

Physical Sensors

Author(s)

S. K. Verma, M. Menon, A. N. Warrier, M. Gardill, H. Schenk - Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg,Cottbus (Germany), A. Mrosk - Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems,Dresden (Germany)

Pages

228 - 229

DOI

10.5162/eurosensors2026/7.2.1

ISBN

978-3-910600-12-6

Price

free

Abstract

A novel concept for miniaturized, low-power gas detection without surface functionalization or elevated temperatures, is presented using acetone as a model analyte. MEMS Si-electrodes apply electric fields exceeding 1 MV/m to induce Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars interfacial polarization at device-gas interface. This yields a dielectric loss peak with relaxation time ≈0.45 ms as an acetone-specific signature. Loss peak scales with concentration attaining over 20 dB SNR for 25 ppm acetone. The detector consumes ~6 μw below 1 kHz, making it well suited for battery operated and MEMS-integrated sensing platforms.