We report on the operation of ungated surface conductive diamond devices in electrolytic solutions. The effect of electrolyte pH on the channel conductivity is studied in detail. It is shown that fully hydrogen terminated diamond surfaces are not pH sensitive. However, a pronounced pH sensitivity arises after a mild surface oxidation by ozone. We propose that charged ions from the electrolyte adsorbed on the oxidized surface regions induce a lateral electrostatic modulation of the conductive hole accumulation layer on the surface. In contrast, charged ions are not expected to be adsorbed on the hydrogen terminated surface, either due to the screening induced by a dense layer of strongly adsorbed counter-ions or by the absence of the proper reactive surface groups. Therefore, the modulation of the surface conductivity is generated by the oxidized regions, which are described as microscopic chemical in-plane gates. The pH sensitivity mechanism proposed here differs qualitatively from the one used to explain the behavior of conventional ion sensitive field effect transistors, resulting in a pH sensitivity higher than the Nernstian limit.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.