Measurements of tunneling conduction to carbon nanotubes and its sensitivity to oxygen gas

We have measured the conductive properties of junctions between carbon nanotubes (CNT) and non-noble metals $M$ ($M$ = Al, Ti, Nb), which are separated by the native oxide (${M}_{\mathit{OX}}$) of the metal. Reproducible and asymmetric current-voltage characteristics were obtained from Ti/Ti${}_{\mathit{OX}}$/CNT and Nb/Nb${}_{\mathit{OX}}$/CNT junctions, while Al/Al${}_{\mathit{OX}}$/CNT exhibited no current until breakdown, which is attributed to the larger bandgap of Al${}_{\mathit{OX}}$. The conduction in the Ti- and Nb-based junctions is not due to direct tunneling since they exhibit strong temperature dependence. The presence of oxygen is shown to drastically, but reversibly, modify t…