Fabrication and investigation of gas sensing properties of Nb-doped TiO(2) nanotubular arrays

Nanotechnology. 2012 Jun 15;23(23):235706. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/23/23/235706. Epub 2012 May 17.

Abstract

Synthesis of Nb-containing titania nanotubular arrays at room temperature by electrochemical anodization is reported. Crystallization of pure and Nb-doped TiO(2) nanotubes was carried out by post-growth annealing at 400°C. The morphology of the tubes obtained was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Crystal structure and composition of tubes were investigated by glancing incidence x-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and total reflection x-ray fluorescence (TXRF). For the first time gas sensing characteristics of Nb-doped TiO(2) nanotubes were investigated and compared to those of undoped nanotubes. The functional properties of nanotubular arrays towards CO, H(2), NO(2), ethanol and acetone were tested in a wide range of operating temperature. The introduction of Nb largely improves conductivity and enhances gas sensing performances of TiO(2) nanotubes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Gases / analysis*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure*
  • Niobium / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Titanium / chemistry*
  • Transducers*

Substances

  • Gases
  • Niobium
  • titanium dioxide
  • Titanium