Effect of nano-carbon dispersions on signal in silicon-based sensor structure with photoelectrical transducer principle

We identified different nano-carbon species such as graphene nanoplatelets, graphite flakes and carbon nanotubes dispersed in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone using a novel sensor structure based on a “deep” silicon barrier working as a photoelectrical transducer. Each nano-carbon particle has specific signature in both 2D photocurrent distribution and photocurrent dependencies on bias changing surface band-bending. Additionally, all nano-carbon particles have characteristic features in the time-dependent evolution of photocurrent. The obtained results can be explained by the influence of nano-carbon molecules' local electric field on the recombination parameters of defect centers on the silicon surface. [Display omitted] •A novel method for recognition of nano-carbon species is tested.•Graphite flakes, carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets are studied.•Photoelectrical signal in silicon structure with deep barrier is analyzed.•Influence on surface recombination parameters provides the recognition effect.