Ultra-high sensitivity of super carbon-nanotube-based mass and strain sensors

Abstract

Based on the molecular structure mechanics method, the dynamic properties of super carbon nanotubes (STs), together with ST-based mass and strain sensors, are investigated. The following results are obtained: (a) the fundamental frequency of the STs is found to be lower than that of the single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT); (b) the STs may be a potential ultra-high sensitivity mass sensor with a sensitivity about 10(-24) g, which is much higher than that of SWCNT-based mass sensors (10(-21) g); (c) the ST-based strain sensor has a sensitivity as high as 887 Hz/nanostrain, which is also higher than that of SWCNT-based strain sensors. The obtained results suggest that the STs could be used to design the new generation of sensors due to its high sensitivity and ultra-low density.