Ultrabroadband photodetection based on graphene ink

Liquid-Exfoliated 2D Materials for Optoelectronic Applications

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted tremendous research attention in recent days due to their extraordinary and unique properties upon exfoliation from the bulk form, which are useful for many applications such as electronics, optoelectronics, catalysis, etc. Liquid exfoliation method of 2D materials offers a facile and low-cost route to produce large quantities of mono- and few-layer 2D nanosheets in a commercially viable way. Optoelectronic devices such as photodetectors fabricated from percolating networks of liquid-exfoliated 2D materials offer advantages compared to conventional devices, including low cost, less complicated process, and higher flexibility, making them more suitable for the next generation wearable devices. This review summarizes the recent progress on metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetectors fabricated from percolating network of 2D nanosheets obtained from liquid exfoliation methods. In addition, hybrids and mixtures with other photosensitive materials, such as quantum dots, nanowires, nanorods, etc. are also discussed. First, the various methods of liquid exfoliation of 2D materials, size selection methods, and photodetection mechanisms that are responsible for light detection in networks of 2D nanosheets are briefly reviewed. At the end, some potential strategies to further improve the performance the devices are proposed.

Defects regulating of graphene ink for electrochemical determination of ascorbic acid, dopamine and uric acid

A simple water immersing treatment has been established for regulating the electrocatalytic activity of commercial graphene ink. This process enables to remove additives in graphene ink and consequently expose the surface defects. A graphene ink coated glass has been fabricated as an example platform for simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), and uric acid (UA). Cyclic voltammetry studied indicated electrocatalytic reaction can be initiated after the additives leaching during the water immersing treatment. Under optimal conditions, the linear calibration curves were achieved in the range of 50-1000, 3-140, and 0.5-150μM, with detection limits of 17.8, 1.44 and 0.29μM for AA, DA, and UA, respectively. This work demonstrated that the removal of additives of the graphene ink after film coating could be applied as a simple and cost-effective electrochemical platform for sensing application.

Room temperature nanostructured graphene transistor with high on/off ratio

We report the batch fabrication of graphene field-effect-transistors (GFETs) with nanoperforated graphene as channel. The transistors were cut and encapsulated. The encapsulated GFETs display saturation regions that can be tuned by modifying the top gate voltage, and have on/off ratios of at least 2 × 10³ at room temperature and at small drain and gate voltages. In addition, the nanoperforated GFETs display orders of magnitude higher photoresponses than any room-temperature graphene detector configurations that do not involve heterostructures with bandgap materials.

Photosensitive graphene transistors

High performance photodetectors play important roles in the development of innovative technologies in many fields, including medicine, display and imaging, military, optical communication, environment monitoring, security check, scientific research and industrial processing control. Graphene, the most fascinating two-dimensional material, has demonstrated promising applications in various types of photodetectors from terahertz to ultraviolet, due to its ultrahigh carrier mobility and light absorption in broad wavelength range. Graphene field effect transistors are recognized as a type of excellent transducers for photodetection thanks to the inherent amplification function of the transistors, the feasibility of miniaturization and the unique properties of graphene. In this review, we will introduce the applications of graphene transistors as photodetectors in different wavelength ranges including terahertz, infrared, visible, and ultraviolet, focusing on the device design, physics and photosensitive performance. Since the device properties are closely related to the quality of graphene, the devices based on graphene prepared with different methods will be addressed separately with a view to demonstrating more clearly their advantages and shortcomings in practical applications. It is expected that highly sensitive photodetectors based on graphene transistors will find important applications in many emerging areas especially flexible, wearable, printable or transparent electronics and high frequency communications.