Preparation of copper oxide nanowire-based conductometric chemical sensors

CuO nanowires (NWs) were grown by thermal oxidation of metallic Cu thin layer deposited by sputtering on different substrates. Optimal growth parameters were found, studying the influence of the oxidizing temperature and the atmosphere during the oxidation process. A strong relation between oxidation parameters and morphology has been detected. The preliminary response of this sensing material, using nanowire's mat-based device, to various oxidizing and reducing target gases has been evaluated, in order to corroborate the functional properties of the CuO NWs as potential sensing material under certain conditions and to confirm the p-type conductometric response of the material. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.