Interface construction for charge transportation of ZnO/graphene multilayer films

Abstract

In order to clarify the effect of interface construction on the charge transportation, the interfaces between zinc oxide (ZnO) and graphene layers were designed into the following types: the smooth interface by direct deposition ZnO layer onto the surface of fresh graphene/glass substrate; the nanoscale rough interface by Ar[Formula: see text] bombardment etching the surface of graphene/glass substrate before deposition of a ZnO layer, and rough ZnO/Ag/graphene interface by deposition Ag first and then ZnO layers on the rough graphene/glass substrate. The results showed that, compared to the morphology of the ZnO/graphene film with smooth surface, the particle sizes of the film with rough interface became fine and their shapes changed from sharp to round. The carriers’ mobility increased from 0.3 cm2 ⋅ V[Formula: see text] ⋅ s[Formula: see text] to 0.6 cm2 ⋅ V[Formula: see text] ⋅ s[Formula: see text] due to the enhancement of the nanocontact at the rough interface between ZnO and graphene layers. In order to improve the electrical properties of ZnO/graphene multilayer film, a 10 nm Ag layer was inserted into the rough graphene/glass and ZnO layer to construct the rough metal interface. The carrier concentration was enhanced from 10[Formula: see text] cm[Formula: see text] of ZnO/graphene to 10[Formula: see text] cm[Formula: see text] ZnO/Ag/graphene films, although the carrier mobility reduced slightly from ZnO/graphene 0.6 to ZnO/Ag/graphene 0.2 cm2 ⋅ V[Formula: see text] ⋅ s[Formula: see text]. The sheet resistance and resistivity of the ZnO/Ag/graphene multilayer film decreased dramatically by inserting the conductive Ag layer, which took the roles of both the provider of charge carriers from Ag layer and bridges of the carriers from graphene layer.