Nanotube Molecular Wires as Chemical Sensors

• DOI: 10.1126/science.287.5453.622
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T09:40:21Z
• Authors: Jing Kong; Nathan R. Franklin; Chongwu Zhou; Michael G. Chapline; Shu Peng; Kyeongjae Cho; Hongjie Dai
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology

Chemical sensors based on individual single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are demonstrated. Upon exposure to gaseous molecules such as NO(2) or NH(3), the electrical resistance of a semiconducting SWNT is found dramatically increase decrease. This serves basis for nanotube molecular sensors. The exhibit fast response and substantially higher sensitivity than that existing solid-state at room temperature. Sensor reversibility achieved by slow recovery under ambient conditions heating high temperatures. interactions between species SWNTs mechanisms sensing with wires investigated.