All inkjet-printed chemical gas sensors based on CNT/polymer nanocomposites: Comparison between double printed layers and blended single layer

Abstract

Gas sensors based on carbon nanotube (CNT)/ polymer nanocomposite were fabricated by a fully inkjet-printing method. The CNT/polymer layers acting as sensing layer were prepared by 2 methods; (i) deposition of separated layer of CNT and polymer to form a composite-like structure at the interface and (ii) deposition of blend CNT and polymer to obtain completely composite layer. Difference of sensor responses was demonstrated. We have found that the sensor with a compositelike layer provides a good response to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as compared to the sensor obtained from printing CNT/polymer composite. The results have also demonstrated that the capability of the CNT/polymer composite sensor allows detecting VOCs in broad range of concentration. © 2012 IEEE.