Effects of surface electric field on SnO 2 room temperature gas sensors fabricated on nanospike substrates

Haizhou Ren, Pengtao Wang, Haibin Huo, Mengyan Shen, Marina Ruths, Hongwei Sun

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

SnO 2 thin film room-temperature gas sensors have been fabricated on silicon nanospike surfaces prepared by femtosecond pulsed laser irradiation. The surface morphologies of the as-fabricated silicon nanospikes and SnO 2 thin film gas sensors indicate that the surface roughness increased significantly after the SnO 2 layer was deposited. The surface morphology and electric field distribution of the silicon nanospikes were studied with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the electric force microscopy (EFM), respectively. The comparison between AFM morphology and EFM images shows that the aspect ratio of the nanostructures in the EFM image was larger than that in the AFM image, which indicates that the nanospikes on the silicon surface can induce an enhanced electric field around their sharp features. The electric field around the tips is further enhanced when there is electric current flowing through the SnO 2 layer. The enhanced electric field and increased surface area on the nanospike structures are the main contributors to the high sensitivity of these room temperature gas sensors.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems 2012
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes
EventSensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems 2012 - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: Mar 12 2012Mar 15 2012

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume8345
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceSensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems 2012
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period03/12/1203/15/12

Keywords

  • Electric force microscopy
  • Gas sensor
  • Nanospikes
  • SnO
  • Surface electric field enhancement

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of surface electric field on SnO 2 room temperature gas sensors fabricated on nanospike substrates'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this