Evaluation of the odor quality by substructures of odor molecules using integrated multi-channel odor sensor

In order to imitate the mechanism of biological odor reception, an integrated multi-channel odor sensor was developed here. In this study, we attempted to control the response characteristics of this odor sensor by the composition of the water membrane and surface modification technology. As a result, the addition of P cellulose, ion-exchange resin, to the water membrane enabled large response to ethanol, which has hydroxyl group in its structure, and the formation of benzene-patterned self-assembled monolayer (SAM) enhanced the sensitivity to benzene, which has aromatic ring in its structure. In addition, both technologies were also appropriate for the detection of phenethyl alcohol, which has both hydroxyl group and aromatic ring; consequently, these channels could recognize the molecular substructures.