The identification of monoethanolamine in the atmosphere using two sensors on the base of potassium fluoride microphase

The possibility of potassium fluoride microphase application as a modifier of a piezoelectric quartz crystal resonator, which is selective to vapour of based volatile organic compounds in the presence of water vapour, is studied. As an additional progressive impact on the system to increase the sensitivity of the microbalance, it is suggested to form the modifier layers of different thickness (mass). It is founded out that the increase in mass of potassium fluoride microphase changes the sensitivity of the sensor to selected analytes vapour differently. Unlike other substances investigated, amines are adsorbed by the surface of potassium fluoride coating without penetrating into the meso- and micropores. The polarity of analytes, the presence of hydrated functional groups and the residual solvent in the microphase affect the sensitivity of the microbalance in a greater degree. For detecting the vapour of alkylamines and monoethanolamine in gas environment it is preferable to use the sensor with a low-mass potassium fluoride film. In order to reduce the detection limit of the microbalance of mixed vapour of ketones and alkylacetates, a high-mass potassium fluoride film is recommended. Kinetic "visual prints" of a set of two sensors responses with different-mass potassium fluoride microphases have been built and divided into three groups. It is established that geometric form of "visual prints" of sensor responses does not depend on the concentration of substances in the mixture, but their area does. Kinetic "visual print" of sensor responces in monoethanol-amine vapour differs greatly from others. A new kinetic identification parameter A is proposed and calculated for all investigated analytes. A method of high-selective detection of monoethanolamine vapour has been proposed by a set of two sensors with different-mass coating in gas mixtures as well as in various samples containing it.