article · Nanomaterials
Tellurium is a rare element whose practical uses have largely focused on inorganic forms. While it is toxic to humans and animals at low doses, leading to potential damage in the kidneys, liver, and nervous system, it also demonstrates notable anticancer and antibacterial properties. Soluble tellurium salts were used therapeutically prior to the discovery of antibiotics, but pharmaceutical adoption remains restricted by the narrow margin between effective and toxic dosages. Nanoscale tellurium offers versatile alternatives and can be synthesised through either biological or chemical methods. These nanoparticles show promise as pollutant adsorbents, photocatalytic agents for dye degradation, antibacterial coatings, and conductive components for electronics. Balancing these benefits against health risks requires thorough safety evaluations.
Tellurium presents valuable properties for medicine and industry, including the power to destroy cancer cells and degrade pollutants. However, its severe toxicity to major human organs has historically limited its adoption. Understanding how nanoscale forms behave is critical for developing safer antimicrobial treatments, electronic materials, and environmental remediation technologies without creating unintended health hazards.
The findings outline potential uses for nano-tellurium in electronics manufacturing, industrial water treatment, and antimicrobial surface coatings. Target users include materials manufacturers, environmental remediation firms, and pharmaceutical developers. Given the narrow therapeutic window, unresolved risks of chronic toxicity, and ongoing debate over nanomaterial development, these applications appear to be at an early research stage rather than ready for immediate commercial deployment.
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Tellurium (Te) is the heaviest stable chalcogen and is a rare element in Earth's crust (one to five ppb). It was discovered in gold ore from mines in Kleinschlatten near the present-day city of Zlatna, Romania. Industrial and other applications of Te focus on its inorganic forms. Tellurium can be toxic to animals and humans at low doses. Chronic tellurium poisoning endangers the kidney, liver, and nervous system. However, Te can be effective against bacteria and is able to destroy cancer cells. Tellurium can also be used to develop redox modulators and enzyme inhibitors. Soluble salts that contain Te had a role as therapeutic and antimicrobial agents before the advent of antibiotics. The pharmaceutical use of Te is not widespread due to the narrow margin between beneficial and toxic doses, but there are differences between the measure of toxicity based on the Te form. Nano-tellurium (Te-NPs) has several applications: it can act as an adsorptive agent to remove pollutants, and it can be used in antibacterial coating, photo-catalysis for the degradation of dyes, and conductive electronic materials. Nano-sized Te particles are the most promising and can be produced in both chemical and biological ways. Safety assessments are essential to determine the potential risks and benefits of using Te compounds in various applications. Future challenges and directions in developing nano-materials, nano-alloys, and nano-structures based on Te are still open to debate.
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DOI: 10.3390/nano14080670
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