Effects of polymer coating on the adsorption of gas molecules on carbon nanotube networks

Functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with polymers such as polyethyleneimine or nafion was found to not change the adsorption properties of gas molecules on CNTs, although functionalization can remarkably enhance the sensitivity of gas sensors. Charge transfer between adsorbed molecules and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) at defect sites causes a steep and nonlinear conductance change at low gas concentrations, while molecules physically adsorbed on the pristine surfaces result in the linear electrical responses at higher concentrations. In addition, the molecular binding energies at defect sites of SWCNTs were measured to be 0.61 eV for NO2 and 0.53 eV for NH3.