Disclosed are resonant gas sensors and methods for forming and using the
disclosed sensors. The sensors include a resonator including a layer comprising
adsorptive nanostructures, for example carbon nanotubes, activated carbon fibers,
or adsorptive nanowires. The dielectric of the resonator is in electrical communication
with the layer comprising adsorptive nanostructures such that the effective resonant
frequency of the resonator depends on both the dielectric constant of the dielectric
as well as the dielectric constant of the adsorptive layer. In some embodiments,
the nanostructures can be degassed. The sensors can detect the presence of polar
gases, non-polar gases, organic vapors, and mixtures of materials with both high
sensitivity and high selectivity.