Fabrication of Au/ZnO:Ga-polystyrene nanocomposite Schottky diodes for gamma radiation sensing and detection: impact of Ga dopant content

IF 2.6 4区材料科学 Q3 CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Journal of Nanoparticle Research Pub Date : 2025-07-12 DOI:10.1007/s11051-025-06386-z

Sajjad Ali Ameen, Mahmood Salim Karim, Adel H. Omran Alkhayatt

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The detection of atomic and nuclear radiation is becoming increasingly critical due to nuclear threats, accidents, essential environmental monitoring, and recent nuclear disasters. Inorganic and organic semiconducting materials can be utilized in the Schottky diode structure for sensing and detecting gamma rays. In this work, undoped and Ga-doped ZnO (ZO and GZO) nanoparticles (Ga: 2, 4, and 6 wt%) were synthesized using a hydrothermal method at a novel reaction time of 5 h and a reaction temperature of 160 °C. Additionally, the nanocomposites of ZO-PS and ZnO:Ga-PS were prepared via the drop-casting method. Schottky diodes were constructed with the structures Au/ZO-PS/Au and Au/GZO-PS/Au. The structural, morphological, topographical, and photoluminescence characteristics of the prepared samples were investigated based on Ga dopant content. The current–voltage (I-V) characterization of the fabricated Schottky diodes was studied under non-radiative conditions and gamma irradiation for 10, 20, and 30 min. The I-V diode parameters were measured at different irradiation times and varying Ga contents. The results indicated that the diode current increased with longer irradiation times and higher Ga dopant content, while the Schottky barrier height decreased with increasing Ga dopant content. The optimal Schottky diode parameters were observed at a rapid irradiation time of 10 min, where the diode current increased from 1.75 to 13.1 × 10⁻⁷ A, and the Schottky barrier height decreased from 0.71 to 0.66 eV for undoped and 6 wt% Ga-doped ZnO, respectively. Furthermore, the significant increase in diode current (I) values at a low irradiation time of 10 min can serve as a foundation for designing and constructing a sensitive gamma ray sensor and detector. Additionally, the results suggest that Au/ZO-PS/Au and Au/GZO-PS/Au-based diodes can function as gamma ray sensors and detectors.

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用于伽马辐射传感和探测的Au/ZnO:Ga-聚苯乙烯纳米复合肖特基二极管的制备：Ga掺杂物含量的影响

由于核威胁、事故、必要的环境监测和最近的核灾难，对原子和核辐射的探测变得越来越重要。无机和有机半导体材料可用于肖特基二极管结构的感测和探测伽马射线。在这项工作中，采用水热法合成了未掺杂和Ga掺杂的ZnO （ZO和GZO）纳米颗粒（Ga: 2、4和6 wt%），反应时间为5 h，反应温度为160℃。此外，采用滴铸法制备了ZnO - ps和ZnO:Ga-PS纳米复合材料。构造了Au/ZO-PS/Au和Au/GZO-PS/Au结构的肖特基二极管。基于Ga掺杂量研究了制备样品的结构、形态、形貌和光致发光特性。在非辐射条件下和γ辐照10、20和30分钟下，研究了制备的肖特基二极管的电流-电压（I-V）特性。在不同的辐照时间和不同的Ga含量下测量了I-V二极管的参数。结果表明，随着辐照时间的延长和Ga掺杂量的增加，二极管电流增大，而肖特基势垒高度随着Ga掺杂量的增加而减小。在10 min的快速辐照时间下，未掺杂和6 wt% ga掺杂ZnO的肖特基二极管的电流从1.75增加到13.1 × 10−7 a，肖特基势垒高度从0.71降低到0.66 eV。此外，在低辐照时间（10 min）下二极管电流(I)值的显著增加可以作为设计和构建灵敏的伽马射线传感器和探测器的基础。此外，研究结果表明，Au/ZO-PS/Au和Au/GZO-PS/Au基二极管可以作为伽马射线传感器和探测器。

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来源期刊

Journal of Nanoparticle Research 工程技术-材料科学：综合

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

4.00%

发文量

198

审稿时长

3.9 months

期刊介绍： The objective of the Journal of Nanoparticle Research is to disseminate knowledge of the physical, chemical and biological phenomena and processes in structures that have at least one lengthscale ranging from molecular to approximately 100 nm (or submicron in some situations), and exhibit improved and novel properties that are a direct result of their small size. Nanoparticle research is a key component of nanoscience, nanoengineering and nanotechnology. The focus of the Journal is on the specific concepts, properties, phenomena, and processes related to particles, tubes, layers, macromolecules, clusters and other finite structures of the nanoscale size range. Synthesis, assembly, transport, reactivity, and stability of such structures are considered. Development of in-situ and ex-situ instrumentation for characterization of nanoparticles and their interfaces should be based on new principles for probing properties and phenomena not well understood at the nanometer scale. Modeling and simulation may include atom-based quantum mechanics; molecular dynamics; single-particle, multi-body and continuum based models; fractals; other methods suitable for modeling particle synthesis, assembling and interaction processes. Realization and application of systems, structures and devices with novel functions obtained via precursor nanoparticles is emphasized. Approaches may include gas-, liquid-, solid-, and vacuum-based processes, size reduction, chemical- and bio-self assembly. Contributions include utilization of nanoparticle systems for enhancing a phenomenon or process and particle assembling into hierarchical structures, as well as formulation and the administration of drugs. Synergistic approaches originating from different disciplines and technologies, and interaction between the research providers and users in this field, are encouraged.