Investigation of the resistance dependence on temperature of single carbon nanotube in different environments

We investigated the electrical resistance dependence on temperature of a single carbon nanotube (CNT) in vacuum, air, and water by heating the end of the CNT locally. The device used for investigation consisted of a microheater for local heating, four electrodes for measuring resistance on a silicon-on-insulator wafer, and a trench for further heat insulation. Then, the resistance of a single CNT assembled on the device was measured as a function of added heat quantity. The temperature coefficients of resistance of the CNT were 0:214 × 10^-3, 0:422 × 10^-3, and 0:735 × 10^-3/°C in vacuum, air, and water, respectively. Moreover, the heat quantities required to raise the temperature of a CNT in air and water are 1.2- and 1.3-fold that in vacuum, respectively. Thus, CNTs, mainly used as thermal sensors in vacuum, may also be suitable for use in air and water.