Ion and radiation detection devices based on carbon nanomaterials and two-dimensional nanomaterials
Ultrasensitive, miniaturized, and inexpensive ion and ionizing radiation detection devices are provided. The devices include an insulating substrate, metallic contact pads disposed on a surface of the substrate, and a strip of an ultrathin two-dimensional material having a thickness of one or a few atomic layers. The strip is in contact with the contact pads, and a voltage is applied across the two-dimensional sensor material. Individual ions contacting the two-dimensional material alter the current flowing through the material and are detected. The devices can be used in a network of monitors for high energy ions and ionizing radiation.
1. An ion detection device comprising:
an insulating substrate;
first and second metallic contact pads disposed on a surface of the substrate;
a strip of a two-dimensional material, the strip having a first end and a second end, the first end in contact with the first pad and the second end in contact with the second pad, wherein the two-dimensional material is selected from the group consisting of GaS, GaSe, InS, InSe, HfS 2 , HfSe 2 , HfTe 2 , MoS 2 , MoSe 2 , MoTe 2 , NbS 2 , NbSe 2 , NbTe 2 , NiS 2 , NiSe 2 , NiTe 2 , PdS 2 , PdSe 2 , PdTe 2 , PtS 2 , PtSe 2 , PtTe 2 , ReS 2 , ReSe 2 , ReTe 2 , TaS 2 , TaSe 2 , TaTe 2 , TiS 2 , TiSe 2 , TiTe 2 , WS 2 , WSe 2 , WTe 2 , ZrS 2 , ZrSe 2 , and ZrTe 2 ; and
wherein a potential difference applied across the pads causes current to flow through the two-dimensional material and ions contacting the two-dimensional material are detected by a change in the magnitude of said current.
2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a sealed housing forming a chamber enclosing the substrate, contact pads, and strip of two-dimensional material, wherein the chamber is charged with an ionizable gas; and wherein the device functions as an ionizing radiation detector.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the gas is selected from the group consisting of air, Ar, N 2 , He, and combinations thereof.
4. The device of claim 2 , further comprising a processor, a memory, a transmitter, and a battery, wherein the device is capable of reporting measured values of detected ionizing radiation to a remote receiver.
5. A plurality of the devices of claim 4 , linked to form a network for detection of ionizing radiation over an area.
6. The plurality of devices of claim 5 , wherein at least 10 of said devices are distributed over the area, and wherein the area comprises a city.
7. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a sealed housing forming a chamber enclosing the substrate, contact pads, and strip of two-dimensional material, wherein the chamber is evacuated to form a vacuum within the chamber; and wherein the device functions as a detector of ionized particles capable of penetrating the housing.
8. The device of claim 7 , further comprising a processor, a memory, a transmitter, and a battery, wherein the device is capable of reporting measured values of detected ionizing radiation to a remote receiver.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least 10 13 carriers/cm 2 are induced in the material in the presence of ions.
10. The device of claim 9 , wherein about 6×10 13 to about 10 14 carriers/cm 2 are induced in the material.
11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the charge-current amplification factor value is at least 10 8 A C −1 .
12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the strip of two-dimensional material is in the range from about 1 nm to about 100 nm, and its surface area is in the range from about 200 nm 2 to about 1.5 mm 2 .
13. The device of claim 1 , wherein the weight of the device is in the range from about 100 μg to about 1 g.
14. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a processor, a memory, a transmitter, and a battery, wherein the device is capable of reporting measured values of detected ions to a remote receiver.
15. The device of claim 1 , configured as an ion sensor for use in a mass spectrometer.