Technical Physics Letters
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Single tellurium whisker for the NO2 gas sensor: synthesis and rapid demonstration of sensitivity
Rabadanov M.R. 1, Krivetskiy V.V. 2, Ismailov A.M. 1, Umakhanov M. A.1, Rabadanov M.Kh. 1
1Dagestan State University, Makhachkala, Dagestan Republic, Russia
2Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
Email: rm777r@yandex.ru, vkrivetsky@inorg.chem.msu.ru, egdada@mail.ru, umagomed.1999.3@gmail.com, rab_mur@mail.ru

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We report a method for synthesizing tellurium (Te) whiskers, both solid and hollow, with reproducible morphology and geometry. The approach based on tellurium evaporation in a hydrogen atmosphere enables precise control over whisker characteristics through the adjustment of key process parameters: crucible temperature, substrate temperature, their temperature gradient, and hydrogen pressure. The paper demonstrates the possibility of direct integration of an individual Te whisker into a micro-sensor structure and presents the results of rapid evaluation of room-temperature NO2 sensing for whiskers of two diameters (28 and 60 μm). At the concentration of 5 ppm, the sensor achieves sensitivity S~10 %, while the minimum detected concentration is 0.3 ppm for the 28 μm whisker. The device exhibits a reproducible and reversible response highlighting its potential for application in miniature low-power gas analyzers. Keywords: tellurium whiskers, gas sensors, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sensor response.
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