Electronic to protonic conduction switching in Cu2O nanostructured porous films: the effect of humidity exposureElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Additional results related to the change in resistance of as-deposited and annealed CuO2 films on expose to humidity and dry air at various time intervals. See DOI: 10.1039/c7ra00383h

• Main Authors: Dhonge, Baban P, Ray, Suprakas Sinha, Mwakikunga, Bonex
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 19.04.2017
• DOI: 10.1039/c7ra00383h

In this paper, we present the first experimental evidence for electronic to protonic conduction switching in p-type semiconducting nanostructured cuprous oxide (Cu 2 O) porous films when exposed to humidity. We also present a linear response at low relative humidity (RH < 48%). The Cu 2 O nanostructured porous films were synthesized by spray pyrolysis of a Cu/Cu 2 O colloidal solution obtained by laser liquid medium ablation of a Cu target in water. The as-prepared and annealed Cu 2 O films were extensively characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. The chemiresistor response to RH values from 7.5 to 84% was examined at a temperature of 22 °C and a pressure of 760 mmHg. At RH values below 48%, recombination of the majority charge carrier holes and electrons occurred owing to the dissociation of water molecules near the surface; the RH level was used to quantify the increase in resistance response ( R Res ). Both devices revealed linear responses to RH (7.5-48%), with a maximum rate of 4.38 ± 0.16%/RH. As the RH increased beyond 48%, proton hopping between the physisorbed water molecules had a larger effect than the electronic conduction, and the response showed the opposite effect. The response exhibited a linear log-normal relationship with higher RH values (56-84%), with a maximum rate of −0.0694 ± 0.002 log(%)/RH. The mechanism for switching the resistive response trend of the Cu 2 O films is discussed. In this paper, we present the first experimental evidence for electronic to protonic conduction switching in p-type semiconducting nanostructured cuprous oxide (Cu 2 O) porous films when exposed to humidity.