Date of Award

12-2004

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering

Department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Massood Z. Atashbar

Second Advisor

Dr. John Gesink

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes are among those wonderful molecules man has discovered by chance. Carbon nanotubes are sheets of graphite rolled up to form seamless cylinders. Their outstanding electrical, mechanical and thermal properties form the inspiration behind this work. This work investigates the possible application of carbon nanotubes as biological sensors for the detection of various biomolecules like Streptavidin and Mouse monoclonal Immunoglobulin-G. Electrical conductance changes of Carbon nanotubes for exposure to alcohol vapors were studied. This thesis demonstrates that these quantum wires can form highly sensitive biological and chemical sensors at molecular level. Although the main focus of the-research was chemical and biological sensor applications of carbon nanotubes some other interesting studies related to the basic science of the carbon nanotubes could not be overlooked. Comparative studies of the Raman spectra of carbon nanotubes and Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite at elevated temperatures have been conducted. The decrease in the intensity of the signal and also the change in the Raman shift of the 'G' band are discussed. The thesis also reveals some interesting facts about surfactant treatment of carbon nanotubes. The. improved dissolution of carbon nanotubes by surfactant treatment is elucidated. This is a significant step results in the improvement of the biological sensing application of carbon nanotubes.

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