Gate-bias controlled charge trapping as a mechanism for NO2 detection with field-effect transistors

A. Andringa, J.R. Meijboom, E.C.P. Smits, S.G.J. Mathijssen, P.W.M. Blom, D.M. Leeuw, de

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

59 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Detection of nitrogen dioxide, NO2, is required to monitor the air-quality for human health and safety. Commercial sensors are typically chemiresistors, however field-effect transistors are being investigated. Although numerous investigations have been reported, the NO2 sensing mechanism is not clear. Here, the detection mechanism using ZnO field-effect transistors is investigated. The current gradually decreases upon NO2 exposure and application of a positive gate bias. The current decrease originates from the trapping of electrons, yielding a shift of the threshold voltage towards the applied gate bias. The shift is observed for extremely low NO2 concentrations down to 10 ppb and can phenomenologically be described by a stretched-exponential time relaxation. NO2 detection has been demonstrated with n-type, p-type, and ambipolar semiconductors. In all cases, the threshold voltage shifts due to gate bias induced electron trapping. The description of the NO2 detection with field-effect transistors is generic for all semiconductors and can be used to improve future NO2 sensors.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)100-107
Number of pages7
JournalAdvanced Functional Materials
Volume21
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Gate-bias controlled charge trapping as a mechanism for NO2 detection with field-effect transistors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this