Graphene Effusion-based Gas Sensor

arXiv (Cornell University)

Abstract

Porous, atomically thin graphene membranes have interesting properties for filtration and sieving applications because they can accommodate small pore sizes, while maintaining high permeability. These membranes are therefore receiving much attention for novel gas and water purification applications. Here we show that the atomic thickness and high resonance frequency of porous graphene membranes enables an effusion based gas sensing method that distinguishes gases based on their molecular mass. Graphene membranes are used to pump gases through nanopores using optothermal forces. By monitoring the time delay between the actuation force and the membrane mechanical motion, the permeation time-constants of various gases are shown to be significantly different. The measured linear relation between the effusion time constant and the square root of the molecular mass provides a method for sensing gases based on their molecular mass. The presented microscopic effusion based gas sensor can provide a small, low-power alternative for large, high-power, mass-spectrometry and optical spectrometry based gas sensing methods.

Authors 11

1. Irek Rosłoń
2. Robin J. Dolleman

   Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Kavli Institute of Nanoscience , Delft University of Technology , Lorentzweg 1 , 2628 CJ , Delft , The Netherlands

3. Hugo Licona

   Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Kavli Institute of Nanoscience , Delft University of Technology , Lorentzweg 1 , 2628 CJ , Delft , The Netherlands

4. Martin Lee

   Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Kavli Institute of Nanoscience , Delft University of Technology , Lorentzweg 1 , 2628 CJ , Delft , The Netherlands

5. Makars Šiškins

   Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Kavli Institute of Nanoscience , Delft University of Technology , Lorentzweg 1 , 2628 CJ , Delft , The Netherlands

6. H. Lebius

   Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives · Centre de Recherche sur les Ions, les Matériaux et la Photonique

   Affiliation as printed

   CIMAP/GANIL , CEA-CNRS-ENSICAEN-UCN , blvd Henri Becquerel , F-14070 Caen , France

7. Lukas Madauß

   University of Duisburg-Essen

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Physics and CENIDE , Universität Duisburg-Essen , 47057 Duisburg , Germany

8. Marika Schleberger

   University of Duisburg-Essen

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Physics and CENIDE , Universität Duisburg-Essen , 47057 Duisburg , Germany

9. Farbod Alijani

   Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Precision and Microsystem Engineering , Faculty 3mE , Delft University of Technology , Mekelweg 2 , 2628 CD , Delft , The Netherlands

10. Herre S. J. van der Zant Aachen Second institute of Physics

    RWTH Aachen University · Delft University of Technology

    Affiliation as printed

    Kavli Institute of Nanoscience , Delft University of Technology , Lorentzweg 1 , 2628 CJ , Delft , The Netherlands

    Second Institute of Physics , RWTH Aachen University , Otto-Blumenthal-Straße , 52074 , Aachen , Germany

11. Peter Gerard Steeneken

    Delft University of Technology

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Precision and Microsystem Engineering , Faculty 3mE , Delft University of Technology , Mekelweg 2 , 2628 CD , Delft , The Netherlands

    Kavli Institute of Nanoscience , Delft University of Technology , Lorentzweg 1 , 2628 CJ , Delft , The Netherlands