Hydrogen peroxide vapor sensor using metal-phthalocyanine functionalized carbon nanotubes

Abstract We have developed a process for preparation of composites by blending and ultrasonification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with metal-phthalocyanines and have used the same as very selective and sensitive sensor for detection of H 2 O 2 vapors. A combination of sensors made from composites of cobalt-phthalocyanine and copper-phthalocyanine with multiwall carbon nanotubes has been found to show opposite conductivities to H 2 O 2 vapors while the pair shows similar response to other chemical vapors. This unusual behavior makes this paired sensor as a reliable method to selectively identify the presence of H 2 O 2 vapors with response and recovery times of few seconds. Our developed sensors work at room temperature and show resistivity in the range of 10 4 to 10 5 Ω cm. They can be employed for detection of H 2 O 2 based explosives, to monitor levels of H 2 O 2 in industrial units and other applications.