Ethanol sensor development using three-dimensional single-walled carbon nanotube network on silicon pillars

A novel ethanol sensor using three-dimensional single-walled carbon nanotube networks (3D-SWNTs) built on silicon pillars with the use of an alkaline solution electrolyte has been developed. A cyclic voltammetry was used to examine the electrochemical response of the sensor. The relationship between response currents and ethanol concentrations was found to be linear for the ethanol concentrations´ range measured from 1 to 5%. The cyclic voltammetry tests showed the best sensitivity was 0.0024 mAmM^-1cm^-2 with the 3D-SWNT electrode having no Pt particle loading. The Pt-free electrode gave better performance than platinum-coated 3D-SWNTs electrodes did. Since the 3D-SWNTs electrode without using Pt metal loading detects ethanol concentrations with high sensitivity and accuracy, it can lower the fabrication cost of the sensor for potential commercial application.