Multi-wall carbon nanotube networks as potential resistive gas sensors for organic vapor detection

The sensitivity of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) networks of randomly entangled pure nanotubes and those oxidized with acidic KMnO 4 to various organic solvent vapors (iso-pentane, diethyl ether, acetone and methanol) has been investigated by resistance measurements. The solvents had different...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Carbon (New York) 2011-06, Vol.49 (7), p.2499-2507
Main Authors: Slobodian, P., Riha, P., Lengalova, A., Svoboda, P., Saha, P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Carbon
Chemistry
Colloidal state and disperse state
Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science
rheology
Electrical resistance
Exact sciences and technology
Fullerenes and related materials
diamonds, graphite
General and physical chemistry
Materials science
Methyl alcohol
Multi wall carbon nanotubes
Nanotubes
Networks
Physics
Polarity
Porous materials
Solvents
Specific materials
Switching theory
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The sensitivity of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) networks of randomly entangled pure nanotubes and those oxidized with acidic KMnO 4 to various organic solvent vapors (iso-pentane, diethyl ether, acetone and methanol) has been investigated by resistance measurements. The solvents had different polarities given by Hansen solubility parameters and different volume fractions of saturated vapors defined by the vapor pressure. The results show that the network electrical resistance increases when exposed to organic solvent vapors, and a reversible reaction is observed when the network is removed from the vapors. The reaction with KMnO 4 increases oxygen content on the nanotube surface and causes lower porosity of MWCNT network as well as higher electrical resistance, which improves the network selectivity to polar solvents. The investigated MWCNT networks could be potentially used as sensing elements for sensitive and selective organic vapor switches.
ISSN:0008-6223
1873-3891
DOI:10.1016/j.carbon.2011.02.020