Transparent, versatile chemical vapor sensor using supramolecular assembly of block copolymer and carbon nanotubes

Here, a simple and novel approach is reported for developing a new class of transparent chemical vapor sensors with a low power consumption, high sensitivity, good selectivity, and excellent environmental stability by depositing multiwalled carbon nanotubes on prepatterned polymer substrates using supramolecular assembly. The patterned polymer substrates were fabricated from block copolymers, whereas the supramolecular assembly between the carbon nanotubes and block copolymer is utilized for the selective localization of carbon nanotubes at the block copolymer-air interface. The thin film devices made from the block copolymer and carbon nanotubes are highly transparent (transmittance > 90%) and respond to a wide range of solvents of different polarity, both hydrophilic and hydrophobic, with good selectivity and fast response time.