1D and 2D Field Effect Transistors in Gas Sensing: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Rapid progress in the synthesis and fundamental understanding of 1D and 2D materials have solicited the incorporation of these nanomaterials into sensor architectures, especially field effect transistors (FETs), for the monitoring of gas and vapor in environmental, food quality, and healthcare applications. Yet, several challenges have remained unaddressed toward the fabrication of 1D and 2D FET gas sensors for real‐field applications, which are related to properties, synthesis, and integration of 1D and 2D materials into the transistor architecture. This review paper encompasses the whole assortment of 1D—i.e., metal oxide semiconductors (MOXs), silicon nanowires (SiNWs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs)—and 2D—i.e., graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD), phosphorene—materials used in FET gas sensors, critically dissecting how the material synthesis, surface functionalization, and transistor fabrication impact on electrical versus sensing properties of these devices. Eventually, pros and cons of 1D and 2D FETs for gas and vapor sensing applications are discussed, pointing out weakness and highlighting future directions.

Si Nanowire-Based Schottky Sensors for Selective Sensing of NH3 and HCl via Impedance Spectroscopy

“…20 The latter can be used to obtain structures with pronounced peculiarities in optical, electronic, and especially adsorption properties making them distinctive from bulk Si. 21 So, the development of highly sensitive and selective sensors based on Si NWs is a promising way for the mass production considered by many scientific groups. 22−25 In light of high demand in laboratories-on-a-chip, biosensors, and personalized medicine, the detection of substances found both in nature and produced in a human body is of particular interest.…”

“…Due to that, many growth and processing technologies have been developed for the fabrication of Si nanostructures including epitaxial techniques and etching methods . The latter can be used to obtain structures with pronounced peculiarities in optical, electronic, and especially adsorption properties making them distinctive from bulk Si . So, the development of highly sensitive and selective sensors based on Si NWs is a promising way for the mass production considered by many scientific groups. − …”

Toward the Commercialization of Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistor Biosensors

“…Due to their extremely small quantum capacitance, the FETs built on individual s-SWCNTs have shown an ultra-high biomolecular charge sensitivity such that even slight variations in charge number or distribution can induce a substantial change in electrical conductance [ 49 ]. The capacity of individual CVD-derived CNT-based FETs has been demonstrated with respect to the detection of protein conformational motion dynamics at the single-molecule level [ 50 , 51 ].…”

“…With the dispersed and purified s-CNT solution, a randomly distributed s-CNT thin film can be obtained via the dip-coating method at the wafer scale, and this solution-dispersed method can easily be scaled up [ 59 , 60 , 61 ]. The randomly oriented network film ensures homogenous properties and provides a solid foundation for reproducible device fabrication [ 49 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 ]. The wafer-scale uniform semiconducting CNT network films have proven to be an attractive option for FET biosensors due to their remarkable potential for meeting the requirements for industrialization.…”

Crystallographic Nanojunctions of Bismuth Ferrite for Unconventional Detection of Carbon Monoxide

“…Pd was introduced at a certain concentration threshold to create nanofibers with a switch-like ultrahigh responsiveness and hydrogen selectivity . Paghi et al critically reviewed FET-based gas sensors using one- and two-dimensional nanostructures, highlighting the advantages and challenges of the sensor . Drozdowska et al demonstrated an efficient ZrS3-based photoactive FET sensor showing enhanced sensitivity for NO 2 , ethanol, and acetone on blue light exposure .…”