Sensory arrays of covalently functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes for explosive detection

Chemiresistive sensor arrays for cyclohexanone and nitromethane are fabricated using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) that are covalently functionalized with urea, thiourea, and squaramide containing selector units. Based on initial sensing results and ¹H NMR binding studies, the most promising selectors are chosen and further optimized. These optimized selectors are attached to SWCNTs and simultaneously tested in a sensor array. The sensors show a very high level of reproducibility between measurements with the same sensor and across different sensors of the same type. Furthermore, the sensors show promising long-term stability, which renders them suitable for practical applications.