Production and deposition of adsorbent films by plasma polymerization on low cost micromachined non-planar microchannels for preconcentration of organic compound in air

Adsorbent thin films were deposited on low cost micromachined non-planar microchannels. The microchannels were obtained using ordinary tools and poly(methyl methacrylate) substrates and had 40 μm depth and 100 μm width. The films were deposited using plasma polymerization of ethyl ether, ethyl or methyl acetate. The films were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) contact angles formed by different liquids and piezoelectric quartz crystal measurements (QCM). The FTIR analysis showed high intensity for polar bonds such as CO and OH. The contact angle measurements revealed hydrophilic surfaces and the QCM pointed out that the obtained films adsorb readily hydrophilic organic compounds (such as 2-propanol and acetone). Plasma polymerization of methyl acetate leads to higher intensity of polar species, higher hydrophilicity and more adsorption ability. The results indicated that the deposition of methyl acetate on microchannels is a promising and low cost solution for preconcentration of polar organic compounds from the air.