Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 9
Carbon Nanotubes for Gas Sensing
Applications: Principles and Transducers
Michele Penza
ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies,
Energy and Sustainable Economic Development,
Brindisi Technical Unit of Technologies for Materials, Brindisi 72100, Italy
michele.penza@enea.it
This chapter reviews the gas sensing properties of the carbon
nanotubes (CNTs) at the current state of art. The physical properties
of the CNTs are an outstanding mix for advanced nanosensors at
high sensitivity and very low sub-ppm level of gas detection at room
temperature. Fabrication techniques of the CNTs are surveyed as well.
Pristine, modified, purified, and functionalized CNTs are considered
as chemically interfaced materials for gas adsorption by using
various transducers as innovative platforms. Here we review the key
developments of the CNTs gas sensors by means of a comparative
analysis of the chemical sensing performance and outline promising
applications, challenges, and future perspectives.
9.1
Introduction
Recent advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology have led to the
synthesis of novel functional materials — nanotubes, nanowires,
