Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this research the possible utilization of carbon nanomaterials in gas sensing
applications are investigated. These materials include the 2-dimensional
honeycomb-lattice carbon structure called graphene, and the 1-dimensional structures
referred to as carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The extraordinary properties and
unique morphology of these nanomaterials, make them excellent candidates for
sensory applications. This research thus entails the investigation and development
of gas sensors with these carbon nanomaterials. This includes the synthesis
of CNTs via a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) technique and the fabrication
of resistive thin film sensors with the various materials. The functionalization
of carbon nanomaterials is also explored, which delivers promising results for
sensing gases at room temperature, especially acetylene (C2H2). Furthermore, a
unique method is developed to fabricate ultra thin aluminium microstructures.
These metallic electrodes are found to be ideal for nanomaterial integration. An
experiment is performed to manufacture an integrated sensor with MWCNTs
and following the results, a refinement of the procedure and the investigation of
FET-based devices are recommended. The results obtained during this work,
indicate that engineered carbon nanostructures, such as CNTs and graphene, can
potentially be applied in future sensing technologies. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing ondersoek die moontlike toepassing van koolstof nano-materiale
as gas-sensor tegnologie. Hierdie materiale sluit die 2-dimensionele koolstof struktuur,
grafeen, asook die sogenaamde 1-dimensionele koolstof nano-buise in. Die
buitengewone eienskappe en unieke morfologie van hierdie nano-materiale, maak
hul uitstekende kandidate vir sensor toepassings. Hierdie navorsing ondersoek
dus die ontwikkeling van gas-sensors met koolstof nano-materiale, insluitend
die sintese van koolstof nano-buise deur middel van ’n chemiese damp-neerslag
proses, asook die fabrikasie van resistiewe dun film sensors. Die funksionalisering
van koolstof nano-materiale is ook ondersoek en belowende resultate is
opgelewer met betrekking tot die deteksie van gasse by kamertemperatuur, veral
vir asetileen (C2H2) gas. Verder is ’n unieke metode ontwikkel om ultra dun aluminium
mikrostrukture te vervaardig en hierdie metaal elektrodes word as ideaal
beskou vir die integrasie van nano-materiale. ’n Eksperiment is uitgevoer om
’n geïntegreerde sensor te vervaardig met multi-wand koolstof nano-buise, waarvan
die resultate aandui dat die proses verfyn moet word en dat die moontlike
toepassing van veld-effek-transistor toestelle ondersoek moet word. Die resultate
wat opgelewer is gedurende hierdie navorsing dui daarop dat ontwikkelde nanostrukture,
soos koolstof nano-buise en grafeen, as toekomstige sensor tegnologie
geïmplementeer kan word.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/17872 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | De Jager, Nicolaas Jacobus |
| Contributors | Perold, W. J., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 128 p. : ill. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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