Abstract
The application of a type of bio-nano tissue, consisting of tobacco cells and multiwalled carbon nanotubes, as a sensitive near-infrared region (NIR) bolometer operating at room temperature was investigated. An electrical resistor-type sensor was fabricated by the evaporation of lateral gold contacts. A very low dark conductivity was achieved by a high-voltage treatment of a strongly conducting nanotube network. Although before the treatment the electrical transport was dominated by the percolative transport in the nanotube network, after the voltage stress the electronic transport in the low-conductivity tissue was controlled only by the intrinsic electrical properties of the biological matrix. In this latter case, the conductivity was extremely temperature and humidity dependent. However, on operating the sensor tissue in a small temperature window around room temperature, the change in humidity could be neglected. Under these conditions, the multifunctional device functioned as a very high sensitivity temperature sensor with a temperature coefficient of resistance of more than −20%/K. Sensitive bolometer operation with a very good signal-to-noise ratio was demonstrated by irradiation of the tissue with low-power LEDs in the near-infrared range between 780 and 1720 nm.
Highlights
Multifunctional sensors have attracted increasing interest owing to their ability to detect different physical parameters, such as pressure, strain, temperature, humidity, light, and chemical compounds, simultaneously in one detection unit.[1]
The carbon nanotube (CNT) bundles are observed to be distributed around the tobacco cells that act as a scaffold
This leads to the formation of a porous film structure, where the multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) form a conductive network
Summary
Multifunctional sensors have attracted increasing interest owing to their ability to detect different physical parameters, such as pressure, strain, temperature, humidity, light, and chemical compounds, simultaneously in one detection unit.[1]. A biodegradable nanocomposite fabricated with tobacco cells with the addition of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been proposed as a sensing material for a low-cost multifunctional sensor. The light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were current-biased using a Melles Griot 06DLD103 diode laser controller The experimental measurements were conducted by applying a constant bias voltage of 10 V to the coplanar contacts with the switching of the infrared light source having a period of about 120 s. Under these operating conditions, the temperature was monitored using a 10 kΩ thermistor with a negative temperature coefficient (NTC). Surface temperature was monitored with a FLUKE 576 high-precision infrared thermometer.[18]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
