Ya-Qing Bie

Self-powered, ultrafast, visible-blind UV detection and optical logical operation based on ZnO/GaN nanoscale p-n junctions.

Ultrafast-response (20 μs) UV detectors, which are visible-blind and self-powered, in devices where an n-type ZnO nanowire partially lies on a p-type GaN film, are demonstrated. Moreover, a CdSe-nanowire red-light detector powered by a nanoscale ZnO/GaN photovoltaic cell is also demonstrated, which extends the device function to a selective multiwavelength photodetector and shows the function of an optical logical AND gate.

Graphene/ZnO nanowire/graphene vertical structure based fast-response ultraviolet photodetector

time, and recovery speed of our UV detectors are 8 � 10 2 , 0.7s, and 0.5s, respectively, which are significantly improved compared to the conventional ZnO NWs photodetectors. The improved performance is attributed to the existence of Schottky barriers between ZnO NW and graphene electrodes. The graphene/ZnO NW/graphene vertical sandwiched structures may be promising candidates for integrated optoelectronic sensor devices. V C 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4724208] ZnO, as a wide direct band gap (3.37eV) compound semiconductor with large exciton binding energy (60meV), has been widely investigated for its potential applications in optoelectronic devices, gas and chemical sensors. 1,2 Due to large surface-to-volume ratio, ZnO nanowires (NWs) exhibit highly susceptible photoelectric properties by means of electron-hole generation or recombination during ultraviolet (UV) illumination. Therefore, ZnO NWs have great potential in high sensitivity and fast-response UV sensors, 3 environmental monitors, and optical communications. 4 Recently, Hu et al. 5 reported ZnO NW based UV sensors using Schottky contact formed between ZnO and Pt electrode and the device performance such as the sensitive and UV response, is much higher than that of the traditional ZnO NW photoconductivity based UV sensors. The UV detectors based on Schottky barriers formed between ZnO NW and other metal electrodes, such as gold electrodes, have also been studied. 6,7 Nevertheless, metal electrodes are poor in transparency and can dramatically influence the absorption efficiency of the UV sensors. Graphene, a monolayer sp 2 carbon atoms with unique physical properties, such as high mobility and conductivity, 8 high optical transparency 9 and mechanical flexibility, 10 etc., has attracted great research interest recently. The high conductive and optical transparent properties make graphene an ideal candidate for the application in transparent electrode. The Schottky barrier is also expected to be existed at the interface between ZnO nanowire and graphene, and it has been utilized for light-emitting diodes 11 and transparent nanogenerators. 12 In this letter, we have fabricated a vertical sandwich structure of graphene/ZnO NW/graphene. We demonstrate the high performance of our ZnO NW based vertical UV photodetector due to the existence of Schottky barriers between graphene electrodes and ZnO NW. The current on-off ratio of the UV detector is up to 8 � 10 2 at a illumination power density of 50lw/lm 2 , the photocurrent

Well-aligned graphene arrays for field emission displays

Well-aligned graphene field emission arrays were fabricated on copper foils via simple photolithography and wet etching techniques. The method offered high-ordered micro sized graphene pattern in the array elements. Field emission measurement revealed a turn-on field of 7.2 V/μm at 100 nA/cm2 and a good emission current stability. Exposed graphene edges were produced on each array element edge and found to be the significant contributors to the emission current. Owing to the obvious advantages of low cost and easy for scale-up production, this method demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing such graphene field emission array configurations in display applications.

Single ZnO Nanowire/p‐type GaN Heterojunctions for Photovoltaic Devices and UV Light‐Emitting Diodes

We fabricate heterojunctions consisting of a single n-type ZnO nanowire and a p-type GaN film. The photovoltaic effect of heterojunctions exhibits open-circuit voltages ranging from 2 to 2.7 V, and a maximum output power reaching 80 nW. Light-emitting diodes with UV electroluminescence based on the heterojunctions are demonstrated.

Synthesis and Quantum Transport Properties of Bi2Se3 Topological Insulator Nanostructures

Bi2Se3 nanocrystals with various morphologies, including nanotower, nanoplate, nanoflake, nanobeam and nanowire, have been synthesized. Well-distinguished Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations were observed in Bi2Se3 nanoplates and nanobeams. Careful analysis of the SdH oscillations suggests the existence of Berrys phase π, which confirms the quantum transport of the surface Dirac fermions in both Bi2Se3 nanoplates and nanobeams without intended doping. The observation of the singular quantum transport of the topological surface states implies that the high-quality Bi2Se3 nanostructures have superiorities for investigating the novel physical properties and developing the potential applications.

Layer-by-layer assembly of vertically conducting graphene devices

Graphene has various potential applications owing to its unique electronic, optical, mechanical and chemical properties, which are primarily based on its two-dimensional nature. Graphene-based vertical devices can extend the investigations and potential applications range to three dimensions, while interfacial properties are crucial for the function and performance of such graphene vertical devices. Here we report a general method to construct graphene vertical devices with controllable functions via choosing different interfaces between graphene and other materials. Two types of vertically conducting devices are demonstrated: graphene stacks sandwiched between two Au micro-strips, and between two Co layers. The Au|graphene|Au junctions exhibit large magnetoresistance with ratios up to 400% at room temperature, which have potential applications in magnetic field sensors. The Co|graphene|Co junctions display a robust spin valve effect at room temperature. The layer-by-layer assembly of graphene offers a new route for graphene vertical structures.

Site‐Specific Transfer‐Printing of Individual Graphene Microscale Patterns to Arbitrary Surfaces

massless Dirac fermions, [ 3 ] extremely high mobility, [ 4 ] special quantum Hall effect, [ 3 ] and gate voltage tunable optical transitions. [ 5 ] Those remarkable electrical and optical properties make it an attractive candidate for potential applications in integrated bipolar fi eld-effect transistors (FETs), [ 6 ] transparent electrodes for solar cells, [ 7,8 ] as well as other microscale functional devices. [ 9 ]

Stretch-induced stiffness enhancement of graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition.

The mechanical properties of ultrathin membranes have attracted considerable attention recently. Nanoindentation based on atomic force microscopy is commonly employed to study mechanical properties. We find that the data processing procedures in previous studies are nice approximations, but it is difficult for them to illustrate the mechanical properties precisely. Accordingly, we develop a revised numerical method to describe the force curve properly, by which the intrinsic mechanical properties of these membranes can be acquired. Combining the nanoindentation measurements with the revised numerical method, we demonstrate that loading-unloading cycles under large load can lead to a pronounced improvement in stiffness of graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The Youngs moduli of the stretched CVD graphene membranes can be improved to ∼1 TPa, closing to the value of the pristine graphene. Our findings demonstrate a possible way to recover the exceptional elastic properties of CVD graphene from the softened stiffness caused by wrinkles.

Luminescence blue-shift of CdSe nanowires beyond the quantum confinement regime

Photoluminescence (PL) properties of individual CdSe nanowires with diameters beyond the quantum confinement regime have been studied. A blue-shift in the PL spectra was observed with decreasing nanowire diameter. We attribute the blue-shift to band-filling effect. Carrier density induced by surface vacancy doping and laser excitation is found to be high enough to meet the criterion of the band-filling effect and increases with decreasing nanowire diameter. Temperature dependent PL analysis and characterizations of a single CdSe nanowire based field-effect transistor were also performed.

Improved performance of ZnO nanowire field-effect transistors via focused ion beam treatment

A seven orders of magnitude increase in the current on/off ratio of ZnO nanowire field-effect transistors (FETs) after Ga( + ) irradiation was observed. Transmission electron microscopy characterization revealed that the surface crystal quality of the ZnO nanowire was improved via the Ga( + ) treatment. The Ga( + ) irradiation efficiently reduces chemisorption effects and decreases oxygen vacancies in the surface layer. The enhanced performance of the nanowire FET was attributed to the decrease of surface trapped electrons and the decrease in carrier concentration.