Exploring laser-induced graphene and SERS effect in the development of sustainable sensors

Abstract

This proposal aims to develop environmentally sustainable sensor devices by combining electrical and optical measurements aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A study will be conducted to explore the use of paper as a substrate in the fabrication of graphene-based electrodes and active layers for application in Electrolyte-Gated Graphene Field Effect Transistors (EGGFETs), along with Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) for pollutant detection. The EGGFETs will be manufactured using laser processing techniques, with source, drain, and gate electrodes induced by Laser Induced Graphene (LIG) and a laser-reduced Graphene Oxide (LrGO) active layer. Aqueous solutions will be used as electrolytes in the devices. The incorporation of metallic nanoparticles into the active layer will also be investigated to obtain the SERS signal and enable simultaneous electrical and optical measurements. The feasibility of simultaneous analysis will be tested on EGGFET sensors applied in the detection of indigo dye, widely used in various industries, and often released into the environment. Low-concentration solutions of the dye will be used for this purpose. Electrical and optical parameters of the devices will be characterized considering different dye concentrations in the electrolyte. It is expected that the simultaneous acquisition of EGGFET and SERS measurements will provide higher sensitivity, selectivity, and complementary information during device operation. Once the detection techniques using simultaneous EGGFET/SERS coupling for indigo dye are mastered, they can be extended to other types of pollutants or contaminants. This proposal is linked to the Thematic Project FAPESP 2018/22214-6, entitled "Towards the convergence of technologies: from sensors and biosensors to information visualization and machine learning for data analysis in clinical diagnostics," enabling the incorporation of data analysis by artificial intelligence. Additionally, a BEPE internship is planned in collaboration with Professor Roberto Rella's group at the "Instituto per la Microelettronica e Microsistemi," "Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche," in Lecce, Italy. (AU)