Highpoints of carbon nanotube nanocomposite sensors—A review

Abstract

One dimensional hollow cylindrical carbon nanotube nanostructure has played essential role in nanotechnology advancements, since its discovery. In technical fields, carbon nanotube has been applied in pristine as well as in nanocomposite form. Consequently, carbon nanotube has been composited with various conductive and non-conducting matrices as per desired end purposes. In sensing technology, significant breakthroughs have been observed regarding multifunctional carbon nanotube nanocomposites. Common matrices used in this concern include conjugated polymers like poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonic acid, polyaniline, etc. along with some thermoplastics like polyamide, polyurethane, etc. In these matrices, carbon nanotube can form percolation network for electron or charge transportation and may also develop interfacial interactions for fine compatibility, stability, and robustness. Sensing features of the ensuing carbon nanotube nanocomposites depend upon their interactions with the analyte (gases/ions, biomolecules, or motion). Consequently, nanocomposites have been used to develop efficient gas sensors, strain sensors, and biosensors. Performance of carbon nanotube sensors have been analyzed depending upon the sensitivity, selectivity, detection limit, reproducibility, and responses towards analytes.