Facile Fabrication of Hybrid Carbon Nanotube Sensors by Laser Direct Transfer

Abstract

This paper describes a rapid, solvent-free laser based procedure for the fabrication of reproducible sensitive sensors based on hybrid nanocomposites, i.e. single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) decorated with tin oxide nanoparticles (SnO2 NP) that overcomes challenges associated with solvent-assisted chemical functionalization and integration of these materials into devices. The gas response of the LIFT-ed SWCNT: SnO2 sensors has been evaluated at room temperature and an enhanced 2 fold response to ammonia as compared to the SWCNT sensors is demonstrated. Spontaneous and full recovery of the hybrid nanocomposite signal after exposure to NH3 is achieved without any post treatment. The theoretical detection limit of the LIFT-ed SWCNT: SnO2 sensors at room temperature is calculated to be 0.59 ppb. These results indicate that LIFT is an excellent technique which shows great promise towards advancing future developments in the field of chemical sensors.