Valentyn Smyntyna

Evolution of microstructure and related optical properties of ZnO grown by atomic layer deposition

Summary A study of transmittance and photoluminescence spectra on the growth of oxygen-rich ultra-thin ZnO films prepared by atomic layer deposition is reported. The structural transition from an amorphous to a polycrystalline state is observed upon increasing the thickness. The unusual behavior of the energy gap with thickness reflected by optical properties is attributed to the improvement of the crystalline structure resulting from a decreasing concentration of point defects at the growth of grains. The spectra of UV and visible photoluminescence emissions correspond to transitions near the band-edge and defect-related transitions. Additional emissions were observed from band-tail states near the edge. A high oxygen ratio and variable optical properties could be attractive for an application of atomic layer deposition (ALD) deposited ultrathin ZnO films in optical sensors and biosensors.

Tuning of ZnO 1D nanostructures by atomic layer deposition and electrospinning for optical gas sensor applications

We explored for the first time the ability of a three-dimensional polyacrylonitrile/ZnO material-prepared by a combination of electrospinning and atomic layer deposition (ALD) as a new material with a large surface area-to enhance the performance of optical sensors for volatile organic compound (VOC) detection. The photoluminescence (PL) peak intensity of these one-dimensional nanostructures has been enhanced by a factor of 2000 compared to a flat Si substrate. In addition, a phase transition of the ZnO ALD coating from amorphous to crystalline has been observed due to the properties of a polyacrylonitrile nanofiber template: surface strain, roughness, and an increased number of nucleation sites in comparison with a flat Si substrate. The greatly improved PL performance of these nanostructured surfaces could produce exciting materials for implantation in VOC optical sensor applications.

The causes of thickness dependence of CdSe and CdS gas-sensor sensitivity to oxygen

Abstract The sensitivity of semiconductor sensors based on thin films depends on their thickness, in almost all cases. This phenomenon is of practical usage but its mechanism is not revealed completely. CdSe and CdS films were used as sensors for the detection of oxygen. CdSe films were made by thermal evaporation in vacuum, and CdS films by electrohydrodynamic spray of the liquid on to the heated substrate. Changes in composition and in adsorption sensitivity of the sensors were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) methods. The irregular distribution of components along the thickness and the peculiarities in their ratio near the substrate have been observed. The model of CdSe and CdS sensor adsorption sensitivity dependence on thickness is developed, based on the obtained data.

Application of Room Temperature Photoluminescence From ZnO Nanorods for Salmonella Detection

ZnO nanorods grown by gaseous-disperse synthesis are confirmed by XRD analysis to have the wurtzite crystal structure. The obtained crystallites, as found from SEM studies, are 57 ± 9 nm in diameter and 470 ± 30 nm long on the average. Two emission bands of photoluminescence from ZnO nanorods observed at room temperature are centered at 376 and 520 nm. A biosensitive layer is prepared by immobilization of anti-Salmonella antibodies from liquid solutions on the ZnO surface. Immobilization of the biosensitive layer onto ZnO nanorods is found to increase the intensity of PL. After further reaction with Salmonella antigens (Ags), the PL intensity is found to decrease proportional to Ag concentrations in the range of 102 - 105 cell/ml. The possible mechanism of biosensor response is suggested and discussed.

The influence of localized plasmons on the optical properties of Au/ZnO nanostructures

Optical and structural experiments have been carried out on Si/ZnO thin films modified with ultra-thin gold layers of different thicknesses. ZnO was produced via Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and Au via Physical Vapor Deposition (sputtering). The structural properties of nanostructures were studied by XRD and AFM. Optical characterization was performed by absorbance, photoluminescence (PL) and spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). A transition from cluster-to-thin films with the increase of Au thickness has been revealed from an analysis of optical and structural parameters. The analysis of optical features of the system has shown that slight changes of the localized plasmon absorption peaks in spectra make a significant contribution to complex refractive index of gold film and, as a result, leads to a strong enhancement of UV PL peak in the ZnO layer. The mechanism of the tailoring of ZnO optical features changes by varying the Au layer thickness was discussed. Our studies have shown that through the changes of structural properties of thin gold layer between the Si substrate and the ZnO film, we can tune the optical dispersion of each layer and hence the control of ZnO PL spectra enhancement and quenching in UV-Vis wavelengths region is possible. In order to apply the hybrid structure under consideration in various optical applications, such as LED, the dispersion of the complex refractive index of the components should be optimized taking into account a particular target.

Optochemical sensor for water monitoring based on SnO2 particle layer deposited onto optical fibers by the electrospray pyrolysis method

In this letter, experimental results on the capability of a tin dioxide (SnO2)-based silica optical fiber (SOF) sensor to detect sub-ppm ammonia concentrations in water environments, at room temperature, are presented. SnO2 sensitive layers have been deposited on the fiber end by using the simple and low cost electrostatic spray pyrolysis deposition technique. The surface morphology of the deposited SnO2 layers as well as its influence on the near field profile of the emergent electromagnetic field from the fiber coating have been investigated by means of atomic force microscopy and scanning near field optical microscopy. The room temperature adsorption measurements reveal the excellent sensor resolution of 80ppb, good recovery features, high repeatability, and fast response times (a few minutes). The results obtained demonstrate the strong potentiality of the proposed SnO2-based SOF sensor to be employed for water quality monitoring applications.

Photoactivation of luminescence in CdS nanocrystals.

Summary This paper presents the results of the research on the luminescence of cadmium sulfide nanocrystals (NCs) synthesized by colloid chemistry in a gelatinous matrix. The photostimulation of the short-wavelength emission band with λmax = 480 nm has been detected. It is shown that the determining factor of the photostimulation effect is the adsorption of the water molecules on the surface of NC. The observed effect is explained by the recombination mechanism that is responsible for the short-wavelength emission band.

ZnO films formed by atomic layer deposition as an optical biosensor platform for the detection of Grapevine virus A-type proteins

Novel sensitive optical biosensor for determination of Grapevine virus A-type (GVA) proteins (GVA-antigens) has been designed. This biosensor was based on thin films of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The ZnO-based films have demonstrated favorable surface-structural properties for the direct immobilization of antibodies against GVA-antigens in order to form a biosensitive layer sensitive to GVA-antigens. The immobilization was confirmed by intensity changes in the main near band emission (NBE) peak of ZnO and by the formation of intense photoluminescence band, discovered in the visible range around 425nm, caused by the immobilized proteins. The GVA-antigen detection was performed by the evaluation of changes and behavior of a corresponding luminescence band. The sensitivity of as-formed label-free biosensor towards the GVA-antigens was determined in the range from 1pg/ml to 10ng/ml; in addition, the selectivity of biosensor was evaluated.

Influence of chemical composition on sensitivity and signal reproducibility of CdS sensors of oxygen

Abstract It is well known that due to the high sensitivity of CdS to oxygen chemisorption, thin films of this semiconductor can be used as oxygen sensors. In this work CdS sensors are produced by an electrohydrodynamic spray of liquid onto glass substrates heated up to the equilibrium temperature of the deposition process. Three types of CdS film with different ratios of initial solvent components have been investigated: Cd:S = (a) 10, (b) 1.0 and (c) 0.1. It is established from XPS quantification that the Cd:S ratio is increased in the film produced from an initial solution with higher Cd:S ratio. Simultaneously the total amount of oxygen on the sensor surface is increased. The obtained experimental data demonstrate that an elevation of oxygen concentration is caused by chemisorption, i.e., the chemisorption sensitivity is increased in the case of higher Cd:S ratios.

Gold coated porous silicon nanocomposite as a substrate for photoluminescence-based immunosensor suitable for the determination of Aflatoxin B1

A rapid and low cost photoluminescence (PL) immunosensor for the determination of low concentrations of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has been developed. This immunosensor was based on porous silicon (PSi) covered by thin gold layer (Au) and modified by antibodies against AFB1 (anti-AFB1). PSi layer was formed on silicon substrate, then the surface of PSi was covered by 30nm layer of gold (PSi/Au) using electrochemical and chemical deposition methods and in such ways PSi/Au(El.) and PSi/Au(Chem.) structures were formed, respectively. In order to find PSi/Au the most efficiently suitable for PL-based sensor design, structure several different PSi/Au(El.) and PSi/Au(Chem.) structures were designed while using different conditions for electrochemical or chemical deposition of gold layer. It was shown that during the formation of PSi/Au structure crystalline Au nanoparticles uniformly coated the surface of the PSi pores. PL spectroscopy of PSi/Au nanocomposites was performed at room temperature and it showed a wide emission band centered at 700nm. Protein A was covalently immobilized on the surface of PSi/Au(El.) and PSi/Au(Chem.) forming PSi/Au(El.)/Protein-A and PSi/Au(Chem.)/Protein-A structures, respectively. In the next step PSi/Au(El.)/Protein-A and PSi/Au(Chem.)/Protein-A structures were modified by anti-AFB1 and in such way a structures (PSi/Au(El.)/Protein-A/anti-AFB1 and PSi/Au(Chem.)/Protein-A/anti-AFB1) sensitive towards AFB1 were designed. The PSi/Au(El.)/Protein-A/anti-AFB1- and PSi/Au(Chem.)/Protein-A/anti-AFB1-based immunosensors were tested in a wide range of AFB1 concentrations from 0.001 upon 100ng/ml. Interaction of AFB1 with PSi/Au(El.)/Protein-A/anti-AFB1- and PSi/Au(Chem.)/Protein-A/anti-AFB1-based structures resulted PL quenching. The highest sensitivity towards AFB1 was determined for PSi/Au(El.)/Protein-A/anti-AFB1-based immunosensor and it was in the range of 0.01-10ng/ml. The applicability of PSi/Au-based structures as new substrates suitable for PL-based immunosensors is discussed.