Performance tuning of gas sensors based on epitaxial graphene on silicon carbide. (5th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rodner, Marius; Bahonjic, Jasna; Mathisen, Marcus; Gunnarsson, Rickard; Ekeroth, Sebastian; Helmersson, Ulf; Ivanov, Ivan G.; Yakimova, Rositsa; Eriksson, Jens
• Is Part Of: Materials & design. Volume 153(2018)
• Page Start: 153
• Page End: 158
• Publication Date: 2018-09-05
• Subjects: Epitaxial graphene -- Metal oxide nanoparticles -- Gas sensor -- UV light -- Derivative sensor signal -- Benzene; Materials -- Periodicals; Engineering design -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Conception technique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2018.04.087
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-1275

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, we investigated means of performance enhancement in sensors based on epitaxial graphene on silicon carbide (SiC). Epitaxially grown graphene on SiC substrates were successfully decorated with metal oxide nanoparticles such as TiO2 and Fe3 O4 using hollow cathode pulsed plasma sputtering. Atomic Force Microscopy and Raman data verified that no damage was added to the graphene surface. It could be shown that it was easily possible to detect benzene, which is one of the most dangerous volatile organic compounds, with the Fe3 O4 decorated graphene sensor down to an ultra-low concentration of 5 ppb with a signal to noise ratio of 35 dB. Moreover, upon illumination with a UV light LED (265 nm) of the TiO2 decorated graphene sensor, the sensitivity towards a change of oxygen could be enhanced such that a clear sensor response could be seen which is a significant improvement over dark conditions, where almost no response occurred. As the last enhancement, the time derivative sensor signal was introduced for the sensor data evaluation, testing the response towards a change of oxygen. This sensor signal evaluation approach can be used to decrease the response time of the sensor by at least one order of magnitude. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Hollow cathode pulsed plasma sputtering enables deposition of TiO2 and Fe3 O4 nanoparticles on epitaxial graphene. Nanoparticle decoration of epitaxial graphene yields detection of 5 ppb benzene with a signal to noise ratio of 35 dB. Integration of UV LED into the sensor package expands the dynamic range for oxygen detection. Use of time derivative signal allows reduction of response time by more than an order of magnitude.