Graphene-silicon-on-insulator (GSOI) Schottky diode photodetectors.

Graphene-silicon (GS) Schottky junctions have been demonstrated as an efficient architecture for photodetection. However, the response speed of such devices for free space light detection has so far been limited to 10s-100s of kHz for wavelength λ >500 nm. Here, we demonstrate GS Schottky junction photodetectors fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator substrate (SOI) with response speeds approaching 1 GHz, attributed to the reduction of the photo-active silicon layer thickness to 10 µm and with it a suppression of speed-limiting diffusion currents. Graphene-silicon-on-insulator photodetectors (GSOI-PDs) exhibit a negligible influence of wavelength on response speed and only a modest compromise in responsivities compared to GS junctions fabricated on bulk silicon. Noise-equivalent-power (NEP) and specific detectivity (D*) of GSOI photodetectors are 14.5 pW and 7.83 × 1010 cm Hz1/2 W-1, respectively, in ambient conditions. We further demonstrate that combining GSOI-PDs with micro-optical elements formed by modifying the surface topography enables engineering of the spectral and angular response.

Novel Proteomic Assay of Breast Implants Reveals Proteins With Significant Binding Differences: Implications for Surface Coating and Biocompatibility.

BACKGROUND: Silicone elastomer, a ubiquitous biomaterial and main constituent of breast implants, has been used for breast augmentation and reconstruction for over 50 years. Breast implants have direct local and purported systemic effects on normal tissue homeostasis dictated by the chemical and physical presence of the implant. OBJECTIVES: Protein adsorption has been demonstrated to be a key driver of local reactions to silicone. We sought to develop an assay and identify the proteins that coat implants during breast implantation. METHODS: Wound fluid was salvaged from women who had undergone breast reduction and incubated in contact with the surface of 13 commercially available implant surfaces. An in situ digestion technique was optimized to elute bound proteins. Samples were analyzed on an Orbitrap elite analyser, proteins identified in Mascot Demon and analyzed in Progenesis. RESULTS: A total of 822 proteins were identified, bound to the surfaces of the implants. Extracellular proteins were the most abundant ontology, followed by intracellular proteins. Fibrinogen, a proinflammatory protein and Albumin, an anti-inflammatory protein had significant (P < 0.0001) binding differences between the surfaces studied. Complement C3, C5, and factor H were also shown to have significantly different binding affinities for the implants included in the study (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a novel assay of breast implant protein binding and demonstrated significant binding affinities for relevant proteins derived from breast tissue wound fluid.

Towards substrate engineering of graphene-silicon Schottky diode photodetectors.

Graphene-silicon Schottky diode photodetectors possess beneficial properties such as high responsivities and detectivities, broad spectral wavelength operation and high operating speeds. Various routes and architectures have been employed in the past to fabricate devices. Devices are commonly based on the removal of the silicon-oxide layer on the surface of silicon by wet-etching before deposition of graphene on top of silicon to form the graphene-silicon Schottky junction. In this work, we systematically investigate the influence of the interfacial oxide layer, the fabrication technique employed and the silicon substrate on the light detection capabilities of graphene-silicon Schottky diode photodetectors. The properties of devices are investigated over a broad wavelength range from near-UV to short-/mid-infrared radiation, radiation intensities covering over five orders of magnitude as well as the suitability of devices for high speed operation. Results show that the interfacial layer, depending on the required application, is in fact beneficial to enhance the photodetection properties of such devices. Further, we demonstrate the influence of the silicon substrate on the spectral response and operating speed. Fabricated devices operate over a broad spectral wavelength range from the near-UV to the short-/mid-infrared (thermal) wavelength regime, exhibit high photovoltage responses approaching 106 V W-1 and short rise- and fall-times of tens of nanoseconds.

Electron transfer kinetics on natural crystals of MoS2 and graphite.

Here, we evaluate the electrochemical performance of sparsely studied natural crystals of molybdenite and graphite, which have increasingly been used for fabrication of next generation monolayer molybdenum disulphide and graphene energy storage devices. Heterogeneous electron transfer kinetics of several redox mediators, including Fe(CN)6(3-/4-), Ru(NH3)6(3+/2+) and IrCl6(2-/3-) are determined using voltammetry in a micro-droplet cell. The kinetics on both materials are studied as a function of surface defectiveness, surface ageing, applied potential and illumination. We find that the basal planes of both natural MoS2 and graphite show significant electroactivity, but a large decrease in electron transfer kinetics is observed on atmosphere-aged surfaces in comparison to in situ freshly cleaved surfaces of both materials. This is attributed to surface oxidation and adsorption of airborne contaminants at the surface exposed to an ambient environment. In contrast to semimetallic graphite, the electrode kinetics on semiconducting MoS2 are strongly dependent on the surface illumination and applied potential. Furthermore, while visibly present defects/cracks do not significantly affect the response of graphite, the kinetics on MoS2 systematically accelerate with small increase in disorder. These findings have direct implications for use of MoS2 and graphene/graphite as electrode materials in electrochemistry-related applications.

Electron transfer kinetics on mono- and multilayer graphene.

Understanding of the electrochemical properties of graphene, especially the electron transfer kinetics of a redox reaction between the graphene surface and a molecule, in comparison to graphite or other carbon-based materials, is essential for its potential in energy conversion and storage to be realized. Here we use voltammetric determination of the electron transfer rate for three redox mediators, ferricyanide, hexaammineruthenium, and hexachloroiridate (Fe(CN)(6)(3-), Ru(NH3)(6)(3+), and IrCl(6)(2-), respectively), to measure the reactivity of graphene samples prepared by mechanical exfoliation of natural graphite. Electron transfer rates are measured for varied number of graphene layers (1 to ca. 1000 layers) using microscopic droplets. The basal planes of mono- and multilayer graphene, supported on an insulating Si/SiO(2) substrate, exhibit significant electron transfer activity and changes in kinetics are observed for all three mediators. No significant trend in kinetics with flake thickness is discernible for each mediator; however, a large variation in kinetics is observed across the basal plane of the same flakes, indicating that local surface conditions affect the electrochemical performance. This is confirmed by in situ graphite exfoliation, which reveals significant deterioration of initially, near-reversible kinetics for Ru(NH3)(6)(3+) when comparing the atmosphere-aged and freshly exfoliated graphite surfaces.

Designing implant surface topography for improved biocompatibility.

Modern approaches to biomaterials aim to instigate a specific tissue response to create truly biocompatible materials. With this in mind, the responses of cells to biomimetic surface topographies have been studied. This review compares the findings and links the results to the processes which occur when cells contact a surface. Topographical features such as grooves and ridges or pits and pillars can have a dramatic effect on the composition of protein layers affecting protein orientation and conformation. It has been demonstrated that these surface properties along with others, such as surface compliance, can significantly impact on specific cell-surface interactions. Design strategies to minimize foreign body reactions should consider the shape, size, spacing and curvature of topographical features. In doing this, it should be possible to control the signals that are relayed to the nucleus and thus gain a degree of control over the cell behavior and ultimately the tissue response.

Electrochemical behavior of monolayer and bilayer graphene.

Results of a study on the electrochemical properties of exfoliated single and multilayer graphene flakes are presented. Graphene flakes were deposited on silicon/silicon oxide wafers to enable fast and accurate characterization by optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Conductive silver paint and silver wires were used to fabricate contacts; epoxy resin was employed as a masking coating in order to expose a stable, well-defined area of graphene. Both multilayer and monolayer graphene microelectrodes showed quasi-reversible behavior during voltammetric measurements in potassium ferricyanide. However, the standard heterogeneous charge transfer rate constant, k°, was estimated to be higher for monolayer graphene flakes.

Ultralow secondary electron emission of graphene.

In order to ensure that vacuum electronic devices work with high overall efficiency, it is required to use materials with low secondary electron emission to fabricate or coat collectors, grids, and envelope walls of the devices. We report that the secondary electron yields of monolayer graphenes are ultralow, comparable with the lowest yields of the materials currently used in this practical application. This offers a pathway for the application of light graphene with only one-atom thickness and good electronic and thermal conductivities in vacuum electronic devices.

Macroscopic graphene membranes and their extraordinary stiffness.

The properties of suspended graphene are currently attracting enormous interest, but the small size of available samples and the difficulties in making them severely restrict the number of experimental techniques that can be used to study the optical, mechanical, electronic, thermal, and other characteristics of this one-atom-thick material. Here, we describe a new and highly reliable approach for making graphene membranes of a macroscopic size (currently up to 100 microm in diameter) and their characterization by transmission electron microscopy. In particular, we have found that long graphene beams supported by only one side do not scroll or fold, in striking contrast to the current perception of graphene as a supple thin fabric, but demonstrate sufficient stiffness to support extremely large loads, millions of times exceeding their own weight, in agreement with the presented theory. Our work opens many avenues for studying suspended graphene and using it in various micromechanical systems and electron microscopy.

Graphene-based liquid crystal device.

Graphene is only one atom thick, optically transparent, chemically inert, and an excellent conductor. These properties seem to make this material an excellent candidate for applications in various photonic devices that require conducting but transparent thin films. In this letter, we demonstrate liquid crystal devices with electrodes made of graphene that show excellent performance with a high contrast ratio. We also discuss the advantages of graphene compared to conventionally used metal oxides in terms of low resistivity, high transparency and chemical stability.