Carbon Nanotube Based Microwave Resonator Gas Sensors

Abstract

This paper reviews our work on the development of microwave carbon nanotube resonator sensors for gas detection. The sensor consists of a radio frequency resonator coated with a layer of carbon nanotubes. Upon exposure to gasses, the resonant frequency of the sensor shifts to indicate the presence of gasses. Our experimental results demonstrate that the microwave carbon nanotube resonator sensor achieves a sensitivity of 4000 Hz/ppm upon exposure to ammonia and the resonant frequency is recovered when ammonia is evacuated. The sensing mechanism is dependent on electron transfer from the ammonia to the nanotubes. This sensor platform has great potential for wireless sensing network applications.