Enhancement of the benzene-sensing performance of Si nanowires through the incorporation of TeO2 heterointerfaces and Pd-sensitization

We report a novel method to significantly improve the C 6 H 6 -sensing performance of Si nanowires through the combination of TeO 2 branches and Pd sensitization. The morphological investigation revealed that TeO 2 branches were densely formed on the stem nanowires (NWs). The sensor responses of the Pd-functionalized branched NWs exhibited superior sensor responses of 55.19 to C 6 H 6 gas. In particular, Pd nanoparticles enhanced the sensor response to C 6 H 6 gas most efficiently, increasing the sensor response by 173.5%. Possible mechanisms for the sensing of the Pd-decorated branched nanowires will be associated with resistance modulation along the branch TeO 2 nanowires (including catalytic Pd effects), at the networked homojunctions between the branch TeO 2 nanowires, at the boundaries of the TeO 2 nanograins, and at the Pd/TeO 2 heterojunctions.