Using temperature effects on polymer-composite sensor arrays to identify analytes

The sensor response of six different polymer-carbon-black composite sensors to three different analytes has been investigated as a function of temperature where the temperature range is 28-36/spl deg/C (/spl Delta/T is 4-8/spl deg/C). We tested the response of these polymer-carbon-black sensors to water, methanol and methane from 28-36/spl deg/C. All of the sensors showed a decrease in response to an analyte with increasing temperature; however, each sensor's response changes differently with temperature. This variation of response to temperature change creates distinct temperature-dependent fingerprints and will be useful in extending the range of data available for analyte identification and quantification.