Everybody is talking about carbon nanotubes these days. But what about titania nanotubes? Penn State researchers think they have a great potential for sensing hydrogen . Here are the opening paragraphs from their news release.
Titania nanotubes are 1500 times better than the next best material for sensing hydrogen and may be one of the first examples of materials properties changing dramatically when crossing the border between real world sizes and nanoscopic dimensions, according to a Penn State materials scientist.
"Historically, we have viewed sensor technology and enhancements from the point of view of surface area," says Dr. Craig A. Grimes, associate professor of electrical engineering and materials science and engineering. "The principle in play in titania nanotubes is not surface area, but connectivity of the tiny tubes and we see an incredible change in electric resistance."
"Many researchers have tried to use carbon nanotubes as gas sensors, but they do not work very well," says Grimes. "Titania has really great sensitivity and a nice response."
Here is an image of titania nanotubes at 250 nanometer size. (Credit: Penn State, Craig Grimes)
And now, the very good news: titania nanotubes are cheap and can be useful.
The Penn State researcher notes that the material can be made by the mile and is very cheap as well as very sensitive. The material is also not used up when sensing hydrogen, but once the gas clears from the tubes, can be used again.
Sensors for hydrogen are used in industrial quality control in food plants and as weapons against terrorism.
Source: Pennsylvania State University, July 29, 2003
7:08:05 PM
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