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AssigneeQinetiq Limited
InventorsDavid J. Combes, Timothy I. Cox, Ian C. Sage
Estimating the term…
Improved preconcentrators, particularly MEMs scale preconcentrators which possess a coating comprising polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs). There is further provided devices comprising the preconcentrator, and methods of preparation and use. There is particular benefit directed to the use of a MEMs scale heater coated with the PIMs for use in hand-held or field portable chemical detection devices. The polymer of intrinsic microporosity comprises a polymer, with a monomer repeat unit of Formula I wherein A is one or more optionally substituted aryl, heterocyclic, cycloalkyl or bicycloalkyl rings, π is greater than 5, preferably 5 to 10000, and X may be selected from CH, CH2, 0, S, N or NH.
A preconcentrator device comprising a sampling platform for reversibly adsorbing an organic analyte, said sampling platform comprising an element which has deposited thereon at least one polymer of intrinsic microporosity and a heater to heat said polymer of intrinsic microporosity.
A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the angle made between planar species on each side the point of contortion is a non-integral fraction of 360 degrees.
A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the point of contortion is a spiro group.
A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the polymer is deposited by spin coating, dipping, curtain coating, spray coating, inkjet printing, electrospray coating or Plastisol® coating.
A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the polymer is deposited to give a thickness less than 100 microns.
A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the deposited polymer has a mean pore size 0.20 nm to 20 nm.
A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the deposited polymer has a surface area of at least 50 m2/gm.
A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein there are two or more independently selected PIMs polymers deposited on the element or heater.
A device according to any one of the preceding claims which is suitable for use in a hand-held or portable detection system.
A preconcentrator device comprising a sampling platform for reversibly adsorbing an organic analyte, comprising a heater which has deposited thereon a trapping medium comprising at least one polymer of intrinsic microporosity.
A chemical detection system for detecting a low concentration of organic analyte comprising, a means for sampling an inlet gas which comprises the organic analyte to be detected, a preconcentrator device according to any one of the preceding claims, and a detector suitable for detecting said organic analyte.
A micro machined heater suitable for use in a preconcentrator, wherein said heater has an isopotential configuration comprising at least two electrically conducting paths, such that the electrical resistance of all paths through said configuration are substantially equal, such that in use, a uniform heat distribution is achieved.
A method for depositing a polymer of intrinsic microporosity onto a heater, comprising the steps of i) forming a solution of the PIMS polymer in a solvent ii) contacting the solution to said heater and iii) evaporating the solvent to produce the polymer membrane, optionally repeating steps ii) and iii) to achieved the desired thickness of polymer.
A method according to clam 44 wherein the aromatic compounds are electron deficient aromatic compounds.
The use of a polymer of intrinsic microporosity for reversibly adsorbing an organic analyte in a preconcentrator device.
Use, method, device as substantially hereinbefore defined in the description or drawings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.