Photo-activated oxygen sensitivity of graphene at room temperature

Abstract

Photo-induced changes in the electrical conductivity and the sensitivity to oxygen gas of graphene sheets grown by chemical vapor deposition and transferred onto Al2O3 and SiO2 thin film substrates were studied at ambient conditions. The pristine graphene sensors were initially completely insensitive to oxygen gas at room temperature but showed significant (up to 100%) response when illuminated with weak ultraviolet (300 nm or 365 nm) light. Oxygen response was governed by Langmuir law and its activation was insensitive to humidity. The mechanism of sensitization is analyzed together with other photo-induced effects—negative persistent photo-conduction and photo-induced hysteresis of field effect transistor characteristics. While the reduction of conductivity in air is persistent effect, the oxygen sensitization and enlargement of hysteresis take place only under the direct influence of light. It is concluded that the charge traps with differently adsorbed oxygen and water are involved in these phenomena.