Hydrazine leak detection using poly (3-hexylthiophene) thin film micro-sensor

H. Yang; J. Wan; H. Shu; X. Liu; R. S. Lakshmanan; R. Guntupalli; J. Hu; W. Howard; B. A. Chin

doi:10.1117/12.666370

10 May 2006 Hydrazine leak detection using poly (3-hexylthiophene) thin film micro-sensor

H. Yang, J. Wan, H. Shu, X. Liu, R. S. Lakshmanan, R. Guntupalli, J. Hu, W. Howard, B. A. Chin

Proceedings Volume 6222, Sensors for Propulsion Measurement Applications; 62220S (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.666370
Event: Defense and Security Symposium, 2006, Orlando (Kissimmee), Florida, United States

Abstract

Hydrazine is mostly used as a propellant in the control/propulsion system of missiles, spacecraft and satellites. However with its highly toxic and strong reducing nature, hydrazine is very dangerous to humans and the environment. In this research, a low cost, passive, and highly sensitive micro-sensor has been developed as an alarm device for real-time monitoring for the accidental release of hydrazine, and to insure the safety of personnel and the readiness of the system before lift-off. The micro-sensor is fabricated using standard microelectronic manufacturing techniques and is composed of interdigitated electrodes and a hydrazine-sensitive poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) thin film. When exposed to 1ppm of hydrazine gas, the compensation interaction between the reducing hydrazine gas and p-type doped P3HT leads to a five order magnitude increase in the resistance of the device. The sensor is capable of detecting hydrazine leaks from tens of ppb to tens of ppm concentration. The sensitivity of sensor increases with the increasing of hydrazine concentration and the decreasing of the polymer film thickness. A numerical simulation result based on the possible theoretical model is compared with the experimental data, which shows a good agreement.

Citation Download Citation

H. Yang, J. Wan, H. Shu, X. Liu, R. S. Lakshmanan, R. Guntupalli, J. Hu, W. Howard, and B. A. Chin "Hydrazine leak detection using poly (3-hexylthiophene) thin film micro-sensor", Proc. SPIE 6222, Sensors for Propulsion Measurement Applications, 62220S (10 May 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.666370

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