Highly conductive titanium oxide nanotubes chemical sensors

• RT synthesis of Nb-containing titaniana nanotubes by electrochemical anodization.
• Conductance of 10-3 S, several order of magnitude higher than pure titania nanotubes.
• Improved sensing performances of Nb-containing titania nanotubes.

Nb–TiO2 nanotubes arrays have been prepared by anodisation of Nb–Ti metallic films. After the annealing treatment the nanotubes are crystallized in the anatase phase. Conductance increased of several orders of magnitude thanks to the introduction of Nb. We have prepared conductometric sensors and evaluated their sensing properties towards different gases. Functional measurements demonstrated very good sensing performances towards ethanol, acetone and carbon monoxide. The gas sensing performances has been tested as a function of the dimensions of the nanotubes showing an improvement in chemical sensing as the internal diameter of the tubes get smaller.

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