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Title: Ultrahigh sensitivity and layer-dependent sensing performance of phosphorene-based gas sensors

Journal Article · · Nature Communications
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms9632· OSTI ID:1239312
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [1]
  1. Univ. of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI (United States)
  2. Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL (United States)

Two-dimensional (2D) layered materials have attracted significant attention for device applications because of their unique structures and outstanding properties. Here, a field-effect transistor (FET) sensor device is fabricated based on 2D phosphorene nanosheets (PNSs). The PNS sensor exhibits an ultrahigh sensitivity to NO2 in dry air and the sensitivity is dependent on its thickness. A maximum response is observed for 4.8-nm-thick PNS, with a sensitivity up to 190% at 20 parts per billion (p.p.b.) at room temperature. First-principles calculations combined with the statistical thermodynamics modelling predict that the adsorption density is ~1015 cm-2 for the 4.8-nm-thick PNS when exposed to 20 p.p.b. NO2 at 300 K. As a result, our sensitivity modelling further suggests that the dependence of sensitivity on the PNS thickness is dictated by the band gap for thinner sheets (<10 nm) and by the effective thickness on gas adsorption for thicker sheets (>10 nm).

Research Organization:
Univ. of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI (United States); Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
1239312
Journal Information:
Nature Communications, Vol. 6; ISSN 2041-1723
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 529 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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An Ultrasensitive Organic Semiconductor NO 2 Sensor Based on Crystalline TIPS-Pentacene Films journal August 2017
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A 3D Chemically Modified Graphene Hydrogel for Fast, Highly Sensitive, and Selective Gas Sensor journal December 2016
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A First-Principles Study on the Adsorption of Small Molecules on Arsenene: Comparison of Oxidation Kinetics in Arsenene, Antimonene, Phosphorene, and InSe journal January 2019
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