Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as a gas sensor

Bhabendra K. Pradhan, Gamini U. Sumanasekera, Clement K.W. Adu, Hugo Romero, Peter C. Eklund

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

A thermoelectric "nano-nose" has been built from tangled bundles of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT). The detector's thermoelectric response ΔS is sensitive to the logarithmic energy derivative of the additional bundle resistivity (ρa) which is identified with the adsorbed molecules. The response is therefore specific to the details of the interaction of the adsorbed molecule with the nanotube wall; even gases such as He, N2 and H2 can be easily detected. Plots of ΔS vs. ρa are sensitive to whether oxidation or reduction of the tube wall is taking place, and to whether the gas molecule is physisorbed or chemisorbed. The utility of the sensor stems from the amphoteric nature of the SWNT, the quasi-one-dimensional character of the charge conduction and the high specific surface area of SWNTs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)A14201-A14206
JournalMaterials Research Society Symposium - Proceedings
Volume633
StatePublished - 2001
EventNanotubes and Related Materials - Boston, MA, United States
Duration: Nov 27 2000Nov 30 2000

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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