Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
•
Safety
: innovative CNT nanosensors are
fabricated as proof of concept for advanced detection of toxic
and hazardous chemical vapors, explosives, chemical warfare
agents for monitoring and control against terrorist activity.
CNT sensors with high specificity will be able to detect these
compounds at sub-ppb level in air for military and dual
applications. It is highly probable, in the next years, a CNT
sensor system for detection of nerve agents, sarin, soman,
and other nerve agent precursors including their stimulants
such as DMMP, DIMP, etc. Explosives such as nitrotoluene
are detected as well by modified individual single nanotube
for advanced sensing at room temperature. Also, CNT sensor
arrays will be fabricated for domestic security and chemical
safety at home and workplaces.
•
Environmental air monitoring
and
security
: CNT-based nanosensors are
being studied as innovative platforms for chemical detection
of air-pollutants with high sensitivity and low level of sub-
ppm detection limit in real-scenario applications of multi-
component gas mixtures. The selectivity is addressed with
CNT arrays using single sensors with surface modifications.
The requirements for environmental air-monitoring and air
quality control are for selective, low-power consumption
microsensors at high sensitivity and ppb-level detection. The
CNT-based sensor arrays seem to match these demanding
requirements in order to develop a sensor network with
wireless functionality in a given large area to be controlled.
•
Other applicative sectors
can be imaged for CNT sensors such
as industrial process control, energy efficiency and saving,
transports, and smart mobility.
9.8
Conclusion
Recent research and development of CNT-based gas sensors was
reviewed at the current state-of-the-art. CNTs exhibit a large surface
area and outstanding structural, electrical, optical, thermal, and
mechanical properties, which make them some of the most exciting
nanomaterials as promising candidates for the next generation of
chemical sensors. To overcome some of the limitations of the pristine
CNTs, great efforts have been directed toward functionalization and
