Carbon nanotube based resonant-circuit sensor
First Claim
1. A gas sensor comprising:
- a resonator comprising a dielectric material, the resonator further including a layer comprising adsorptive nanostructures selected from the group consisting of degassed carbon nanotubes, activated carbon fibers, and adsorptive nanowires, wherein the dielectric material is in electrical communication with the layer comprising the adsorptive nanostructures such that the effective resonant frequency of the resonator depends upon the dielectric constant of the dielectric material and also depends upon the dielectric constant of the layer comprising the adsorptive nanostructures.
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Abstract
Disclosed are resonant gas sensors and methods for forming and using the disclosed sensors. The sensors include a resonator including a layer comprising adsorptive nanostructures, for example carbon nanotubes, activated carbon fibers, or adsorptive nanowires. The dielectric of the resonator is in electrical communication with the layer comprising adsorptive nanostructures such that the effective resonant frequency of the resonator depends on both the dielectric constant of the dielectric as well as the dielectric constant of the adsorptive layer. In some embodiments, the nanostructures can be degassed. The sensors can detect the presence of polar gases, non-polar gases, organic vapors, and mixtures of materials with both high sensitivity and high selectivity.
63 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A gas sensor comprising:
a resonator comprising a dielectric material, the resonator further including a layer comprising adsorptive nanostructures selected from the group consisting of degassed carbon nanotubes, activated carbon fibers, and adsorptive nanowires, wherein the dielectric material is in electrical communication with the layer comprising the adsorptive nanostructures such that the effective resonant frequency of the resonator depends upon the dielectric constant of the dielectric material and also depends upon the dielectric constant of the layer comprising the adsorptive nanostructures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A gas sensor comprising:
a resonator comprising a dielectric material, the resonator further including a layer comprising adsorptive degassed carbon nanotubes, wherein the dielectric material is in electrical communication with the layer comprising the degassed carbon nanotubes such that the effective resonant frequency of the resonator depends upon the dielectric constant of the dielectric material and also depends upon the dielectric constant of the layer comprising the degassed carbon nanotubes, wherein the sensor indicates a measurable variation in resonant frequency of the resonator upon exposure to either polar or non-polar gases. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A gas sensor comprising:
a resonator comprising a dielectric material, the resonator further including a layer comprising adsorptive activated carbon nanofibers, wherein the dielectric material is in electrical communication with the layer comprising the activated carbon nanofibers such that the effective resonant frequency of the resonator depends upon the dielectric constant of the dielectric material and also depends upon the dielectric constant of the layer comprising the activated carbon nanofibers. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A gas sensor comprising:
a resonator comprising a dielectric material, the resonator further including a layer comprising adsorptive nanowires, wherein the dielectric material is in electrical communication with the layer comprising the adsorptive nanowires such that the effective resonant frequency of the resonator depends upon the dielectric constant of the dielectric material and also depends upon the dielectric constant of the layer comprising the adsorptive nanowires. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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