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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
Here we discuss a novel capacitive-type chemical sensor structure that uses recently discovered porous nanocrystalline silicon (pnc-Si) membranes [1] covered with metal as the capacitor plates while a polymer layer sandwiched between them serves as the sensing layer for solvent vapor detection. Pnc-Si is new ultrathin (15 nm) membrane material with pore sizes ranging from 5 to 50 nm and porosities from < 0.1 to 15 % that is fabricated using standard silicon semiconductor processing techniques. We present a study of pnc-Si membranes as a platform for such a sensor. The degree of swelling and the reversibility of the polymer/pnc-Si membrane system immersed in analyte-containing vapors are observed using optical and electrical techniques.