Carbon nanotube gas sensor array for multiplex analyte discrimination

Abstract

The lack of selectivity toward a particular analyte has always been the primary concern regarding CNT-based gas sensors. For that reason, in here we present a gas discrimination strategy that focuses on the electrode–CNT junction. The junction is shown to play a key role in the sensing mechanism. Resistive gas sensors based on horizontal CNT arrays have been fabricated using various designs and different top-contacting metals: Pt, Pd and Au. Arrays of devices have been exposed to a series of gases to monitor their resistive response. It was found for our system that the sensor response does not significantly change as a function of the device design or the available CNT sensing area in between the anchoring electrodes. On the contrary, responses to gases are observed to be specific to each sensor electrode metal. Exposure of locally passivated devices (for which distinct areas have been covered) to NO2, H2 and NH3 highlights different sensing mechanisms for each gas. Multiplex gas discrimination for room temperature can be achieved by strategically choosing the right metal/CNT combination in a complete sensor system.