Selective volatile organic compound gas sensor based on carbon nanotubes functionalized with ZnO nanoparticles

Xiang, Jiaxi; Singhal, Anuj; Divan, Ralu; Stan, Liliana; Liu, Yuzi; Paprotny, Igor

doi:10.1116/6.0000992

Title: Selective volatile organic compound gas sensor based on carbon nanotubes functionalized with ZnO nanoparticles

Journal Article · Wed Jul 07 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/6.0000992· OSTI ID:1864302

Xiang, Jiaxi ^[1]; Singhal, Anuj ^[1];

^[2];

^[1]

Univ. of Illinois, Chicago, IL (United States)
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

This paper describes the theory and results for a new class of low-cost chemoresistive gas sensors designed for selective hydrocarbon gas detection. The sensors utilize a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) backbone functionalized with metal oxide nanocrystals. Specifically, nanoparticles were grown on the surface of the MWCNTs using atomic layer deposition. The crystallinity of the ZnO-MWCNTs’ heterostructure was examined by using a high-resolution transmission electron microscope. The structure of the ZnO/MWCNTs was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive x ray. The Hall effect measurement shows p-type characteristics of the MWCNTs, supporting the typical PN junction formation with n-type ZnO nanocrystals. The electron-donating ability of ZnO provided a strong response to the ppm levels of toluene at room temperature (25 °C) and showed strong selectivity with other volatile organic compound gases such as benzene, methane, and formaldehyde.

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Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); Kanomax Corporation

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357; 086347

OSTI ID:: 1864302

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1806234

Journal Information:: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B, Vol. 39, Issue 4; ISSN 2166-2746

Publisher:: American Vacuum Society / AIPCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Selective volatile organic compound gas sensor based on carbon nanotubes functionalized with ZnO nanoparticles

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