Gas sensing characteristics of multi-wall carbon nanotubes

Impedance spectroscopy was used to study the gas sensing behavior of both capacitance and resistance based sensors employing multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) as the active sensing element. Studies revealed the chemisorption of reducing gases upon the surface of the MWNTs. Increasing sensor impedance was observed with increasing humidity or partial pressures of ammonia, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The impedance changes are attributed to p-type conductivity in semiconducting MWNTs, and the formation of Schottky barriers between the metallic and semiconducting nanotubes. Reversible behavior is demonstrated for the MWNT sensors in response to humidity, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The MWNT sensors strongly respond to ammonia behaving as dosimeters.