Interaction of single-wall carbon nanotubes with gas phase molecules

The interaction of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with various gas molecules has been studied by synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy. Using also x-ray emission microscopy, we found that chemical elements other than C are present in commercial purified SWCNT bucky paper. Removal of these residual contaminants made the electronic spectra insensitive to O2, H2O, N2, and CO, while a strong and reversible effect to NO2, SO2, NO and NH3 was observed. © 2003 American Institute of Physics