Highly efficient Ceramic-SWCNT based free standing films for gas sensing application

This paper presents a method of preparation of ceramic-carbon nanotube nanocomposite films using a gel-cast technique to improve the sensitivity of the carbon nanotubes based gas sensor for toxic gases (NH3, NO2) to a sub-ppm levels. A detailed study is presented on nanocompostite synthesis, sensing mechanism and performance of free standing nanocomposites film. The method is simple, low cost, environment friendly and allows batch fabrication process. The film was prepared by a motor driven machine fitted with doctor׳s blade where single wall carbon nanotube(SWCNT) powder dispersed in sol-gel based alumina solution was poured and rolled out on Mylar tape at specific speed to have control on film thickness. Electron microscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray and Raman Spectroscopy were used to characterize the morphology and composition of prepared material. The proposed free standing nanocomposite film shows excellent and stable sensitivity to NH3 and NO2 molecules are 15% and 32% for 1 ppm respectively