Progress in the Synthesis and Application of Tellurium Nanomaterials

Abstract

In recent decades, low-dimensional nanodevices have shown great potential to extend Moore’s Law. The n-type semiconductors already have several candidate materials for semiconductors with high carrier transport and device performance, but the development of their p-type counterparts remains a challenge. As a p-type narrow bandgap semiconductor, tellurium nanostructure has outstanding electrical properties, controllable bandgap, and good environmental stability. With the addition of methods for synthesizing various emerging tellurium nanostructures with controllable size, shape, and structure, tellurium nanomaterials show great application prospects in next-generation electronics and optoelectronic devices. For tellurium-based nanomaterials, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy are the main characterization methods for their morphology. In this paper, the controllable synthesis methods of different tellurium nanostructures are reviewed, and the latest progress in the application of tellurium nanostructures is summarized. The applications of tellurium nanostructures in electronics and optoelectronics, including field-effect transistors, photodetectors, and sensors, are highlighted. Finally, the future challenges, opportunities, and development directions of tellurium nanomaterials are prospected.

Tellurium and Nano-Tellurium: Medicine or Poison?

“…Studies on the applications of Te and nano-Te tend to focus on photoelectricity, including photodetectors and field-effect transistors [ 13 , 38 ]. These applications rely on the fact that Te is considered the “vitamin of modern industry” in the 21st century due to its unique and intriguing properties [ 51 ].…”

“…Important properties of nano-Te structures include their controllable band gap, outstanding electrical properties, and good environmental stability. These nano-structures can be formed in zero- (0D), one- (1D), two- (2D), three- (3D), and complex dimensional nano-forms ( Table 6 ) [ 13 ]. Many Te nano-structures can be synthesized to have various controllable shapes, sizes, and structures and are considered to be next-generation in optoelectronic devices and electronics ( Figure 4 ).…”

“…Tellurium can substitute for sulfur in common sulfide minerals like chalcopyrite, galena, covellite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, and sphalerite [ 10 ]. Nano-tellurium has promising applications, including antimicrobial [ 11 , 12 ], electronic, and optoelectronic [ 13 ] uses. Nano-tellurium (nano-Te) can be found in many forms such as nano-Te structures [ 13 ], nano-Te wires [ 14 ], nano-Te tubes [ 15 ], and nano-Te ribbons [ 16 ].…”

“…Nano-tellurium has promising applications, including antimicrobial [ 11 , 12 ], electronic, and optoelectronic [ 13 ] uses. Nano-tellurium (nano-Te) can be found in many forms such as nano-Te structures [ 13 ], nano-Te wires [ 14 ], nano-Te tubes [ 15 ], and nano-Te ribbons [ 16 ]. Nano-Te can be made with chemical methods along with biological and green methods that are considered eco-friendly.…”

Tellurium Nanoparticles Incorporated into Electrospun Poly(acrylonitrile) Nanofibers, Followed by Carbonization and Their Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Composites for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

“…Tellurium nanoparticles (Te NPs) are known to exhibit remarkable stability at high temperatures . Even if Te NPs undergo oxidation and become TeO 2 NPs, the reduction, which would happen during carbonization at elevated temperatures in the presence of carbon and in vacuum conditions, would convert them back to Te NPs. − Hence, Te NPs may act as an efficient filler for enhancing the EMI shielding properties of carbon-based matrixes. − There are only a few reports available where Te NPs are used as fillers for EMI shielding applications, and the reported EMI SE values are low.…”