6 research outputs found

    Highly Specific and Wide Range NO<sub>2</sub> Sensor with Color Readout

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    We present a simple and inexpensive method to implement a Griess-Saltzman-type reaction that combines the advantages of the liquid phase method (high specificity and fast response time) with the benefits of a solid implementation (easy to handle). We demonstrate that the measurements can be carried out using conventional RGB sensors; circumventing all the limitations around the measurement of the samples with spectrometers. We also present a method to optimize the measurement protocol and target a specific range of NO<sub>2</sub> concentrations. We demonstrate that it is possible to measure the concentration of NO<sub>2</sub> from 50 ppb to 300 ppm with high specificity and without modifying the Griess-Saltzman reagent

    Insights into Interfacial Changes and Photoelectrochemical Stability of In<sub><i>x</i></sub>Ga<sub>1ā€“<i>x</i></sub>N (0001) Photoanode Surfaces in Liquid Environments

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    The long-term stability of InGaN photoanodes in liquid environments is an essential requirement for their use in photoelectrochemistry. In this paper, we investigate the relationships between the compositional changes at the surface of n-type In<sub><i>x</i></sub>Ga<sub>1ā€“<i>x</i></sub>N (<i>x</i> āˆ¼ 0.10) and its photoelectrochemical stability in phosphate buffer solutions with pH 7.4 and 11.3. Surface analyses reveal that InGaN undergoes oxidation under photoelectrochemical operation conditions (i.e., under solar light illumination and constant bias of 0.5 V<sub>RHE</sub>), forming a thin amorphous oxide layer having a pH-dependent chemical composition. We found that the formed oxide is mainly composed of Gaā€“O bonds at pH 7.4, whereas at pH 11.3 the Inā€“O bonds are dominant. The photoelectrical properties of InGaN photoanodes are intimately related to the chemical composition of their surface oxides. For instance, after the formation of the oxide layer (mainly Gaā€“O bonds) at pH 7.4, no photocurrent flow was observed, whereas the oxide layer (mainly Inā€“O bonds) at pH 11.3 contributes to enhance the photocurrent, possibly because of its reported high photocatalytic activity. Once a critical oxide thickness was reached, especially at pH 7.4, no significant changes in the photoelectrical properties were observed for the rest of the test duration. This study provides new insights into the oxidation processes occurring at the InGaN/liquid interface, which can be exploited to improve InGaN stability and enhance photoanode performance for biosensing and water-splitting applications

    Band Engineered Epitaxial 3D GaN-InGaN Coreā€“Shell Rod Arrays as an Advanced Photoanode for Visible-Light-Driven Water Splitting

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    3D single-crystalline, well-aligned GaN-InGaN rod arrays are fabricated by selective area growth (SAG) metalā€“organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) for visible-light water splitting. Epitaxial InGaN layer grows successfully on 3D GaN rods to minimize defects within the GaN-InGaN heterojunctions. The indium concentration (In āˆ¼ 0.30 Ā± 0.04) is rather homogeneous in InGaN shells along the radial and longitudinal directions. The growing strategy allows us to tune the band gap of the InGaN layer in order to match the visible absorption with the solar spectrum as well as to align the semiconductor bands close to the water redox potentials to achieve high efficiency. The relation between structure, surface, and photoelectrochemical property of GaN-InGaN is explored by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), currentā€“voltage, and open circuit potential (OCP) measurements. The epitaxial GaN-InGaN interface, pseudomorphic InGaN thin films, homogeneous and suitable indium concentration and defined surface orientation are properties demanded for systematic study and efficient photoanodes based on III-nitride heterojunctions
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