Role of defects in single-walled carbon nanotube chemical sensors

Joshua A Robinson; Eric S Snow; Stefan C Badescu; Thomas L Reinecke; F Keith Perkins

doi:10.1021/nl0612289

Role of defects in single-walled carbon nanotube chemical sensors

Nano Lett. 2006 Aug;6(8):1747-51. doi: 10.1021/nl0612289.

Authors

Joshua A Robinson¹, Eric S Snow, Stefan C Badescu, Thomas L Reinecke, F Keith Perkins

Affiliation

¹ The Naval Research Laboratory, Electronic Science and Technology Division, 4555 Overlook Avenue, Washington, DC 20375, USA.

PMID: 16895367
DOI: 10.1021/nl0612289

Abstract

We explore the electronic response of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) to trace levels of chemical vapors. We find adsorption at defect sites produces a large electronic response that dominates the SWNT capacitance and conductance sensitivity. This large response results from increased adsorbate binding energy and charge transfer at defect sites. Finally, we demonstrate controlled introduction of oxidation defects can be used to enhance sensitivity of a SWNT network sensor to a variety of chemical vapors.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Computer Simulation
Computer-Aided Design
Electric Conductivity
Electrochemistry / instrumentation*
Electrochemistry / methods
Equipment Design
Equipment Failure Analysis
Gases / analysis*
Microelectrodes
Models, Chemical*
Models, Molecular*
Nanotechnology / instrumentation
Nanotechnology / methods
Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
Nanotubes, Carbon / ultrastructure
Organic Chemicals / analysis*
Transducers*

Substances

Gases
Nanotubes, Carbon
Organic Chemicals