Chlorine gas sensors using one-dimensional tellurium nanostructures

Tellurium nanotubes have been grown by physical vapor deposition under inert environment at atmospheric pressure as well as under vacuum conditions. Different techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical absorption have been utilized for characterization of grown structures. Films prepared using both types of tellurium nanotubes were characterized for sensitivity to oxidizing and reducing gases and it was found that the relative response to gases depends on the microstructure. Nanotubes prepared at atmospheric pressure (of argon) showed high sensitivity and better selectivity to chlorine gas. Impedance spectroscopy studies showed that the response to chlorine is mainly contributed by grain boundaries and is therefore enhanced for nanotubes prepared under argon atmosphere.