Sensitive and stable gas ionization sensor based on 3D single-walled carbon nanotube networks suspended on ZnO

Abstract

We fabricated a gas ionization sensor based on 3-D single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) networks suspended between ZnO nanorods using a chemical vapor deposition method. ZnO nanorods were grown on the pyramid-like protrusions of a textured Si substrate. The breakdown voltages and stability of the 3-D SWNT networks were measured and compared with those of a SWNT film synthesized on Si substrate. Our results show that 3-D SWNT networks on ZnO nanorods enable ionization gas sensors to be sensitive, selective, and highly stable devices.