Fabrication and characterization of silicon-based microsensors for detecting offensive gases

Highly sensitive and mechanically stable gas sensors have been fabricated using the microfabrication and micromachining techniques. The sensing materials used to detect the offensive $CH_3SH$ and $(CH_3)_3N$ gases are 1 wt% Pd-doped $SnO_2$ and 6 wt% $Al_2O_3$-doped ZnO, respectively. The optimum operating temperatures of the devices are $250^{\circ}C$ and $350^{\circ}C$ for $CH_3SH$ and $(CH_3)_3N$, respectively and the corresponding heater power is, respectively, about 55mW and 85mW. Excellent thermal insulation is achieved by the use of a double-layer membrane: i.e. $0.2{\mu}m$-thick silicon nitride and $1.4{\mu}m$-thick phosphosilicate glass. The sensors are mechanically stable enough to endure the heat cycles between room temperature and $350^{\circ}C$, at least for 30 days.