A METHOD FOR STABILIZING SUPER-HYDROPHOBIC CARBON NANOPARTICLE COATINGS

The invention relates to a method, applicable in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and technical sciences, and in particular in sensor technologies using mass-sensitive sensors, based on volumetric or surface acoustic waves. According to the proposed method for stabilizing super-hydrophobic carbon nanoparticle coatings, directly applied to the active sensor surface of a sensor of volumetric or surface acoustic waves, the preparation and application of a stabilizing polymer layer on the super-hydrophobic coating of carbon nanoparticles is carried out simultaneously by plasma polymerization. The thickness of the stabilizing polymer layer is less than the size of the carbon nanoparticles. The advantages of the method are that the active sensor surface remains in direct contact with the super-hydrophobic layer of carbon nanoparticles, while the plasma polymer penetrates the space between them and is firmly attached to the sensor surface, as preventing them from separating and washing away in contact with the tested liquids and gases during the operation of the sensor. Thus, the stabilized layer, in addition to retaining its super-hydrophobic properties, causes an insignificant deterioration in the sensitivity, dynamic range and noise levels of the sensor. Besides, the plasma application process of the stabilizing polymer layer allows precise control over its parameters and thickness, which leads to high reproducibility of the sensor characteristics. Sensors using mass-sensitive sensors based on volumetric or surface acoustic waves, with stabilized super-hydrophobic coatings of carbon nanoparticles, can be used in systems for express medical diagnostics, monitoring the parameters of environmental and water pollution, as well as in a variety of systems for chemical and biological analysis of liquids and gases.