Multifunctional optoelectrical sensor based on two-dimensional MoS2 atomically thin layers grown by selective nucleation
Project Director: Dr. Toma STOICA
Title: “Multifunctional optoelectrical sensor based on two-dimensional MoS2 atomically thin layers grown by selective nucleation”
Acronym: 2Doptosens
Project ID: PN-III-P2-2_1-PED-2021-2457
Project Director: Dr. Toma Stoica
Project Type: National
Program: Program 4 – Basic and Frontier Research: Complex Projects of Frontier Research
Funding Agency: Unitatea Executiva pentru Finantarea Invatamantului Superior, a Cercetarii, Dezvoltarii si Inovarii - UEFISCDI
Contractor: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MATERIALS PHYSICS (INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR)
Status: In progress
Starting Date: 24/06/2022
Ending Date: 23/06/2024
Summary:
Optoelectrical multifunctional sensors will be obtained based on selective nucleation and growth of two-dimensional 2D-MoS2 atomically thin layers on SiO2/Si patterned substrates, by using Physical Vapor Deposition method. The substrate patterning will be performed by deposition of Mo pads before growth of MoS2 flakes. The precise localization of selectively grown 2D-MoS2 flakes allows the fabrication of the optoelectrical sensors by deposition of metallic contacts using photolithographic technique with alignment to the patterns of the substrate. The atomically thin 2D-MoS2 layers are very sensitive to external excitation as for example light illumination or adsorbed molecules on the 2D-MoS2 free layer surface. Using the Si substrate as gate electrode, the (photo)sensitivity of the device can be controlled and enhanced by field effect. Based on the high sensitivity expressed by electric and photoelectric behaviour, the 2D-MoS2 optoelectrical sensors are recommended for many practical applications, as for example biosensors (protein detection, DNA compatibility, acetone in human breath for diabetes, etc) and chemical sensors for pollution monitoring. The validation of the optoelectrical sensor demonstrator in this project according to TRL 3 includes the testing experiments on spectral photocurrent, as well as on electrostatic doping in 2D-MoS2 layers by field effect and adsorbed acetone molecules.
Dr. Toma Stoica
Dr. Ciurea Lidia Magdalena
Dr. Ionel Stavarache
Dr. Adrian Slav
Dr. Ana-Maria Lepadatu
Dr. Elena Matei
Dr. Catalin Palade
Dr. Ioana Maria Avram Dascalescu
PhD Student Ovidiu Cojocaru
SUMMARY OF STAGE 1
The goal of the 2DOPTOSENS project is the manufacture of multifunctional optoelectric sensors obtained by nucleation and selective growth of 2D-MoS2 thin layers on structured SiO2/Si substrates by Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) method.
Stage 1/2022 has as a main objective the preparation of the conditions for carrying out selective depositions of 2D-MoS2 and for the manufacture of optoelectronic devices in the following stages, through studies on the operating parameters of the 2D-MoS2 reactor and obtaining test samples of depositions on structured supports, as well as photolithographic mask design. This objective was achieved through the activities proposed for Stage 1 of the Implementation Plan: ● Calibration of the operating parameters of the 2D-MoS2 reactor; ● PVD growth of 2D-MoS2 on test substrates; ● Statistical characterization of 2D-MoS2 growth; ● Morphological and structural characterization; ● Creation of the project web page and permanent updating.
In this Stage, experiments were carried out to find out the operating parameters of the equipment, the performances of the depositions on structured and unstructured substrates that led to the in-depth understanding of the processes involved in these growths of 2D-MoS2 layers and the establishment of measures to improve the depositions and their characterization. First of all, the parameters and operating conditions of the installation and the deposition process were investigated and improvements were made, reducing the leakage rate by over an order of magnitude. The thermogravimetry measurements showed the stability of the MoS2 powder up to 1100oC in the inert atmosphere, but also its oxidation at over 500oC in the atmosphere containing oxygen, thus demonstrating the importance of reducing traces of oxygen in the working atmosphere, the exchange reaction of replacing S by O being stronger the higher the oxygen partial pressure and the higher the temperature. The temperature gradient in the oven inside the tube was calibrated in order to evaluate the temperature of the samples during deposition. The composition and crystalline quality of the MoS2 source was tested by Raman scattering measurements. A number of 10 test depositions of 2D-MoS2 were carried out, varying various parameters such as the temperatures set in the three zones of the furnace (the temperature of the MoS2 powder set between 970oC and 1050oC), the duration of the deposition (30 – 720 min), the flow of Ar (36 – 144 sccm) and working pressure (10 – 27 mbar). 1x1 cm2 SiO2/Si substrates with ~300nm thick SiO2 layer were used, either structured with SiO2 windows obtained by chemical etching in HF, or unstructured.
The statistics on a number of 12-18 samples/deposition of the selective growths by nucleation in the SiO2 windows, as well as at the edge of the samples, was investigated by optical microscopy. The temperature gradient achieved in the three-zone furnace ensures lower deposition temperatures the more the samples were located at greater distances from the hottest zone where the MoS2 powder was placed. Consistent selective deposits are observed from 10 cm to 25 cm away from the source of MoS2 at temperatures below 800oC and above 630oC. The zone of maximum efficiency of the deposition expands and moves slightly when the flow of Ar increases and the working pressure decreases. Raman scattering measurements showed that traces of oxygen in the working atmosphere have the effect of oxidizing the MoS2 deposits and transforming them into monoclinic MoO2. By reducing the vacuum leaks, selective depositions of non-oxidized crystalline MoS2 were obtained. In this stage, deposition tests were also carried out using supports structured by the deposition of metallic Mo strips, which showed the accumulation of MoS2 deposited at the edge of these strips. In order to increase the efficiency and quality of the 2D-MoS2 deposits, the temperature gradient and the limit vacuum will be increased in the future. For the next stages, photolithographic masks were designed for structuring the supports before the depositions and the electrodes of the devices for opoelectronic measurements.
In conclusion, the objectives and activities proposed for Stage 1/2022 were fully achieved.
Project Contact Person:
Project Director: Dr.Toma Stoica
National Institute of Materials Physics, Atomistilor 405A., 077125 Magurele - Bucharest, ROMANIA
Tel:+40--(0)21-2418-171
Email: toma.stoica@infim .ro
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