New paradigm in atmospheric gas sensing and molecular identificationGraphene, an atomic-thick sheet
New paradigm in atmospheric gas sensing and molecular identificationGraphene, an atomic-thick sheet of carbon has found immense applications in gas sensors due to its single-molecule sensitivity, low-noise levels, and high carrier density. However, graphene’s much-heralded sensitivity also means it is inherently non-selective to any gas. Hence, it easily gets huge p-doping (reduction of graphene electron density) when exposed to atmospheric air which limits demonstrations of its selectivity to only inert environments such as dry air, or nitrogen. Nevertheless, for the actual commercialization of graphene in applications like environmental monitoring or breath/skin gas clinical sensors, atmospheric exposure is required. This has necessitated the desire to achieve simultaneous atmospheric passivation, and high speed and selective gas sensing in graphene. Common methods of inducing selectivity typically involve polymer coatings on graphene. However, this approach changes graphene’s intrinsic characteristics, while still exposing significant sections of the graphene channel to atmospheric doping.To achieve simultaneous atmospheric passivation, and selective gas sensing in graphene, a research team led by Dr. Manoharan Muruganathan (Senior Lecturer), and Professor Hiroshi Mizuta at the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) developed a nano-porous activated-carbon functionalized graphene channel in collaboration with industrial partners, Mr. Hisashi Maki, Mr. Masashi Hattori, Mr. Kenichi Shimomai.Read more. -- source link
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