Low-frequency noise in Au-decorated graphene–Si Schottky barrier diode at selected ambient gases

Abstract

We report results of the current–voltage characteristics and low-frequency noise in Au nanoparticle (AuNP)-decorated graphene–Si Schottky barrier diodes. Measurements were conducted in ambient air with addition of either of two organic vapors, tetrahydrofuran [(CH2)4O; THF] and chloroform (CHCl3), as also during yellow light illumination (592 nm), close to the measured particle plasmon polariton frequency of the Au nanoparticle layer. We observed a shift of the DC characteristics at forward voltages (forward resistance region) when tetrahydrofuran vapor was admitted (in a Au-decorated graphene–Si Schottky diode), and a tiny shift under yellow irradiation when chloroform was added (in not decorated graphene–Si Schottky diode). Significantly larger difference in the low-frequency noise was observed for the two gases during yellow light irradiation, compared with no illumination. The noise intensity was suppressed by AuNPs when compared with noise in graphene–Si Schottky diode without an AuNP layer. We conclude that flicker noise generated in the investigated Au-decorated Schottky diodes can be utilized for gas detection.