Indium\nOxideSingle-Walled Carbon Nanotube\nComposite for Ethanol Sensing at Room Temperature

Abstract

Utilizing a sol-gel synthesis, indium\noxide is grown on the surface\nof oxidized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) to form a hybrid\nmaterial with high conductivity and sensitivity toward certain organic\nvapors. The room-temperature sensing of dilute ethanol and acetone\nvapors on the surface of indium oxide/SWCNT hybrid material is studied\nusing electrical conductance experiments in a nonoxidizing environment.\nThrough testing of variously calcinated materials, it was observed\nthat the degree of annealing greatly affects the material’s\nresponse to acetone and ethanol, such that the intermediate calcination\ncondition yields the best sensitivity. DFT simulations are used to\nstudy the interface between defective SWCNT and indium oxide, as well\nas the interaction between ethanol and acetone molecules with the\nindium oxide/SWCNT hybrid material.