In this work, we developed silver nanowires and a silicon based Schottky junction and demonstrated ultrafast broadband photosensing behavior. The current device had a response speed that was ultrafast, with a rising time of 36 μs and a falling time of 382 μs, and it had a high level of repeatability across a broad spectrum of wavelengths (λ = 365 to 940 nm). Furthermore, it exhibited excellent responsivity of 60 mA/W and a significant detectivity of 3.5 × 1012 Jones at a λ = 940 nm with an intensity of 0.2 mW cm2 under zero bias operating voltage, which reflects a boost of 50%, by using the AC PV effect. This excellent broadband performance was caused by the photon-induced alternative photocurrent effect, which changed the way the optoelectronics work. This innovative approach will open a second door to the potential design of a broadband ultrafast device for use in cutting-edge optoelectronics.

Gas detection is necessary for various reasons, including the prevention of gas leakages and the creation of necessary environmental conditions. Among the gas detection methods, leakage of gas can be confirmed using materials that undergo color changes that are easily distinguished by the naked eye. Metal nanoparticles (NPs) experience variations in their absorption wavelengths under the localized surface plasmon effect (LSPR) with mechanical stresses, which change the distance between NPs. In this study, we attempted to detect the presence of gas utilizing the LSPR-related color change of a chain of Au NPs. The assembly of Au NPs, arranged in a chain shape, experienced a color change from dark blue to purple with a change in the distance between the NPs by applying a physical force, i.e., compression, stretching, and gas pressure. As the force of compression and the degree of stretching increased, the absorption wavelength shifted from doublet peaks at 650 and 550 nm to a singlet peak at 550 nm. Further, applying gas pressure caused an identical color change. With this result, we propose a method that could be applied to all gases that require detection based on gas pressure.

In this study, we used I-V spectroscopy, photoconductivity (PC) yield and internal photoemission (IPE) yield using IPE spectroscopy to characterize the Schottky barrier heights (SBH) at insulator-semiconductor interfaces of Pt/HfO2/p-type Si metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) capacitors. The leakage current characteristics of the MIS capacitor were analyzed according to the J-V and C-V curves. The leakage current behavior of the capacitors, which depends on the applied electric field, can be described using the Poole-Frenkel (P-F) emission, trap assisted tunneling (TAT), and direct tunneling (DT) models. The leakage current transport mechanism is controlled by the trap level energy depth of HfO2. In order to further study the SBH and the electronic tunneling mechanism, the internal photoemission (IPE) yield was measured and analyzed. We obtained the SBH values of the Pt/HfO2/p-type Si for use in Fowler plots in the square and cubic root IPE yield spectra curves. At the Pt/HfO2/p-type Si interface, the SBH difference, which depends on the electrical potential, is related to (1) the work function (WF) difference and between the Pt and p-type Si and (2) the sub-gap defect state features (density and energy) in the given dielectric.

Hydrogen is considered a potential future energy source. Among other applications of hydrogen, hydrogen-rich water is emerging as a new health care product in industrial areas. Water electrolysis is typically used to generate a hydrogen rich water system. We annealed 10AA carbon paper in air to use it as an electrode of a hydrogen rich water generator. Driven by annealing, structural changes of the carbon paper were identified by secondary electron microscope analysis. Depending on the various annealing temperatures, changes of the hydrophilic characteristics were demonstrated. The crystal structures of pristine and heat-treated carbon paper were characterized by X-ray diffraction. Improvement of the efficiency of the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction was measured via linear voltammetry. The optimized annealing temperature of 10AA carbon paper showed the possibility of using this material as an effective hydrogen rich water generator.