Issue 5, 2019

An ultrafast quantum thermometer from graphene quantum dots

Abstract

We report an ultra-sensitive temperature sensor derived from graphene quantum dots (GQDs) embedded in a self-standing reduced graphene oxide (RGO) film. The GQDs are obtained as a natural derivative during synthesis of GO to RGO. A fundamental study on low temperature transport mechanisms reveals the applicability of temperature zone specific ‘variable range hopping (VRH)’ conduction models, i.e. Mott-VRH, Efros–Shklovskii-VRH and activation energy supported VRH. On the basis of transport behavior and confirmed by characterization analyses, the RGO film is modeled as GQD arrays where graphitic (sp2) domains behave as QDs and oxygenated (sp3) domains between interdots act as tunneling barriers. Temperature dependent resistance and current–voltage (IV) characteristics indicate high sensitivity where sensor resistance changes by almost six orders of magnitude as the temperature is varied between 300 and 12 K. In convection mode, the developed temperature sensor shows a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of ∼−1999% K−1 in the 300–77 K temperature range, which is much higher than the TCR values reported so far. Additionally, the sensor exhibits an extremely fast response (∼0.3 s) and recovery (0.8 s) time; and such high TCR leads to ultra high resolution of ∼ μK. The sensor shows excellent repeatability with negligible drift over several cycles. These studies are crucial for modern day thermal management and sensitive cryogenic applications.

Graphical abstract: An ultrafast quantum thermometer from graphene quantum dots

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
22 Nov 2018
Accepted
15 Feb 2019
First published
06 Mär 2019
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Nanoscale Adv., 2019,1, 1772-1783

An ultrafast quantum thermometer from graphene quantum dots

P. Sehrawat, Abid and S. S. Islam, Nanoscale Adv., 2019, 1, 1772 DOI: 10.1039/C8NA00361K

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