Tuning epitaxial graphene sensitivity to water by hydrogen intercalation
Journal article, 2017

The effects of humidity on the electronic properties of quasi-free standing one layer graphene (QFS 1LG) are investigated via simultaneous magneto-transport in the van der Pauw geometry and local work function measurements in a controlled environment. QFS 1LG on 4H-SiC(0001) is obtained by hydrogen intercalation of the interfacial layer. In this system, the carrier concentration experiences a two-fold increase in sensitivity to changes in relative humidity as compared to the as-grown epitaxial graphene. This enhanced sensitivity to water is attributed to the lowering of the hydrophobicity of QFS 1LG, which results from spontaneous polarization of 4H-SiC(0001) strongly influencing the graphene. Moreover, the superior carrier mobility of the QFS 1LG system is retained even at the highest humidity. The work function maps constructed from Kelvin probe force microscopy also revealed higher sensitivity to water for 1LG compared to 2LG in both QFS 1LG and as-grown systems. These results point to a new field of applications for QFS 1LG, i.e., as humidity sensors, and the corresponding need for metrology in calibration of graphene-based sensors and devices.

Author

C. Melios

National Physical Laboratory (NPL)

University of Surrey

Michael Winters

Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Microwave Electronics

W. Strupinski

Instytutu Technologii Materialow Elektronicznych w Warszawie

V. Panchal

National Physical Laboratory (NPL)

C. E. Giusca

National Physical Laboratory (NPL)

Kdgi Jayawardena

University of Surrey

Niklas Rorsman

Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Microwave Electronics

S. R. P. Silva

University of Surrey

O. Kazakova

National Physical Laboratory (NPL)

Nanoscale

2040-3364 (ISSN) 2040-3372 (eISSN)

Vol. 9 10 3440-3448

Graphene-Based Revolutions in ICT And Beyond (Graphene Flagship)

European Commission (EC) (EC/FP7/604391), 2013-10-01 -- 2016-03-31.

Subject Categories

Physical Sciences

DOI

10.1039/c6nr09465a

PubMed

28232984

More information

Latest update

6/25/2018