Abstract
Abstract A facile and cost-effective preparation process for Ag nanoparticles modified Si nanowires (Ag NPs@RNWs) was first developed based on the metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE)-produced Ag dendrites. Partial removal of the wrapped Ag dendrites and a crucial tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) post-etching treatment are sequentially involved in the process. The crucial step of TMAH-etching induces a loose array of needle-like SiNWs with highly rough surface (RNWs), and causes redistribution of the attached Ag NPs. HRTEM observations reveal that numerous tiny Ag NPs with size of 2–6 nm are firmly inlaid on the concave-convex surface of RNWs. Comparative investigations of NO 2 -sensing properties among the bare-SiNWs, RNWs and Ag NPs@RNWs were carried out at room temperature. The Ag NPs@RNWs sensor exhibits considerably enhanced response (about five times higher) compared with bare-SiNWs and can rapidly response ultrararefied NO 2 with deep ppb level. Above results demonstrate the considerable effect of the Ag NPs modification process developed here; the resulted rough and loose array promotes the response speed of the SiNWs sensors and the formed tiny Ag NPs contributes dramatic enhancement in response sensitivity. The enhanced response of Ag NPs@RNWs is analyzed based on Ag modification-induced electronic sensitization and TMAH etching-induced structural modulation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
