Differentiation of Gas Molecules Using Flexible and All-Carbon Nanotube Devices

J. Phys. Chem. C, 112 (3), 650 -653, 2008. 10.1021/jp710362r S1932-7447(71)00362-5
Web Release Date: January 1, 2008

Differentiation of Gas Molecules Using Flexible and All-Carbon Nanotube Devices

Dongliang Fu, Hueiling Lim, Yumeng Shi, Xiaochen Dong, S. G. Mhaisalkar, Yuan Chen, Shabbir Moochhala, and Lain-Jong Li*

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Ave., Singapore 637819, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637459, and DSO National Laboratories, 20 Science Park Drive, Singapore 118230, Singapore

Received: October 26, 2007

In Final Form: December 2, 2007

Abstract:

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are extremely sensitive to the electronic perturbations from environmental gases. However, the electrical detection of carbon monoxide (CO) is still a challenge. Here we show that 1 ppm of CO can be electrically detected at room temperature using a CNT resistor and the detection is proposed related to the sidewall functionalities (COOH). A simple all-CNT electronic nose composed of two resistors (or one resistor plus one transistor) is able to differentiate CO and other oxidative gases (for example NO and NO₂). The electronic nose is working on both conventional SiO₂/Si and flexible substrates.

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