Enhanced non-volatile memory characteristics with quattro-layer graphene nanoplatelets vs. 2.85-nm Si nanoparticles with asymmetric Al2O 3/HfO 2 tunnel oxide.

In this work, we demonstrate a non-volatile metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) memory with Quattro-layer graphene nanoplatelets as charge storage layer with asymmetric Al2O3/HfO2 tunnel oxide and we compare it to the same memory structure with 2.85-nm Si nanoparticles charge trapping layer. The results show that graphene nanoplatelets with Al2O3/HfO2 tunnel oxide allow for larger memory windows at the same operating voltages, enhanced retention, and endurance characteristics. The measurements are further confirmed by plotting the energy band diagram of the structures, calculating the quantum tunneling probabilities, and analyzing the charge transport mechanism. Also, the required program time of the memory with ultra-thin asymmetric Al2O3/HfO2 tunnel oxide with graphene nanoplatelets storage layer is calculated under Fowler-Nordheim tunneling regime and found to be 4.1 ns making it the fastest fully programmed MOS memory due to the observed pure electrons storage in the graphene nanoplatelets. With Si nanoparticles, however, the program time is larger due to the mixed charge storage. The results confirm that band-engineering of both tunnel oxide and charge trapping layer is required to enhance the current non-volatile memory characteristics.

A hybrid biofuel cell based on electrooxidation of glucose using ultra-small silicon nanoparticles.

The ultra-small silicon nanoparticle was shown to be an electrocatalyst for the electrooxidation of glucose. The oxidation appeared to be a first order reaction which involves the transfer of 1 electron. The oxidation potential showed a low onset of -0.4V vs. Ag/AgCl (-0.62 V vs. RHE). The particle was used as the anode catalyst of a prototype hybrid biofuel cell, which operated on glucose and hydrogen peroxide. The output power of the hybrid cell showed a dependence on the enzymes used as the cathode catalyst. The power density was optimized to 3.7 microW/cm(2) when horseradish peroxidase was replaced by microperoxidase-11 (MP-11). Comparing the output power of the hybrid cell to that of a biofuel cell indicates enhanced cell performance due to the fast reaction kinetics of the particle. The long-term stability of the hybrid cell was characterized by monitoring the cell voltage for 5 days. It appeared to that the robustness of the silicon particle resulted in more cell stability compared to the long-term performance of a biofuel cell.