pH Sensing Characteristics of Extended-Gate Field-Effect Transistor Based on Al-Doped ZnO Nanostructures Hydrothermally Synthesized at Low Temperatures

Abstract

The pH sensing properties of an extended-gate field-effect transistor (EGFET) with Al-doped ZnO (AZO) nanostructures are investigated. The AZO nanostructures with different Al dosages were synthesized on AZO/glass substrate via a simple hydrothermal growth method at 85 degrees C. The pH sensing characteristics of pH-EGFET sensors with an Al dosage of 1.98 at% can exhibit a higher voltage sensitivity of 57.95 mV/pH, a larger linearity of 0.9998, and a wide sensing range of pH 1-13, attributed to the well-aligned nanowire (NW) array, superior crystallinity, less structural defects, and better conductivity. Consequently, the hydrothermally grown AZO NWs demonstrate superior pH sensing characteristics and reveal the potentials for flexible and disposable biosensors.