Carbon nanotubes and its gas-sensing applications: A review

• Published in: Sensors and actuators. A. Physical. Vol. 291; pp. 107 - 143
• Main Authors: Han, Tao, Nag, Anindya, Chandra Mukhopadhyay, Subhas, Xu, Yongzhao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01.06.2019; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Additive manufacturing; Arc discharge; Carbon; Carbon nanotubes; Chemical vapour deposition; Comparative studies; Gas sensors; Gases; Hydrogen sulfide; Laser ablation; Multi wall carbon nanotubes; Nanotubes; Nitrogen dioxide; Response time; Sensors; Single wall carbon nanotubes; Carbon nanotubes; Chemical vapour deposition; Laser ablation; Gas sensors; Arc discharge
• ISSN: 0924-4247; 1873-3069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sna.2019.03.053

[Display omitted] •Review of the gas-sensing applications of Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs and MWCNTs).•Preparation procedure includes CVD, Arc discharge, laser ablation, plasma torch and liquid electrolysis.•Detection of a range of gases including NO2, H2S, H2O2, H2, CO2, CH4, C2H5OH, NH3, CO, Chlorine and TNT.•The strength, limitations and future opportunities of the current CNT-based sensors.•Market opportunities of the CNT-based sensors. The paper presents a substantial review of the work done on the design and development of different types of gas sensors using Carbon Nanotubes. The fundamental techniques of preparation of Carbon Nanotubes have also been reported here. The variety of sensors, their detection processes of a range of gases including NO2, H2S, C2H5OH, and others have been described here. Single-Walled and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in their pristine and amalgamated forms has been used and to develop a range of sensing devices. It also presents a comparative study on each gas giving the fundamental parameters like the limit of detection, the range of concentration and response time to differentiate their capability regarding the materials used to fabrication them to detect the gases. Finally, the challenges related to the currently available Carbon Nanotubes-based gas sensors, their associated remedial actions and some of the possible opportunities for future work are elucidated in the paper.