Nonthermal current-stimulated desorption of gases from carbon nanotubes

Science. 2010 Sep 10;329(5997):1327-30. doi: 10.1126/science.1194210.

Abstract

The desorption of gases from carbon nanotubes is usually a slow process that limits the nanotubes' utility as sensors or as memristors. Here, we demonstrate that flow in the nanotube above the Poole-Frenkel conduction threshold can stimulate adsorbates to desorb without heating the sensor substantially. The method is general: alcohols, aromatics, amines, and phosphonates were all found to desorb. We postulate that the process is analogous to electron-stimulated desorption, but with an internally conducted rather than externally applied source of electrons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't