The layer of graphene (black honeycomb structure) encapsulated in boron nitride (blue) is placed on a superconductor (gray) and coupled with a microwave resonator. By comparing microwave signals (RF), the resistance and quantum capacitance of the encapsulated graphene can be determined. Image: University of Basel, Department of Physics/Swiss Nanoscience Institute.
The layer of graphene (black honeycomb structure) encapsulated in boron nitride (blue) is placed on a superconductor (gray) and coupled with a microwave resonator. By comparing microwave signals (RF), the resistance and quantum capacitance of the encapsulated graphene can be determined. Image: University of Basel, Department of Physics/Swiss Nanoscience Institute.

Scientists have developed a new method for characterizing graphene’s properties without applying disruptive electrical contacts, allowing them to investigate both the resistance and quantum capacitance of graphene and other two-dimensional materials. Researchers from the Swiss Nanoscience Institute and the University of Basel’s Department of Physics in Switzerland report their findings in a paper in Physical Review Applied.

Consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms, graphene is transparent, harder than diamond and stronger than steel, yet flexible, and a significantly better conductor of electricity than copper. Since graphene was first isolated in 2004, scientists across the world have been researching its properties and investigating possible applications. Other two-dimensional materials with similarly promising properties and applications also exist; however, little research has been carried out into their electronic structures.

Electrical contacts are usually used to characterize the electronic properties of graphene and other two-dimensional materials, but they can also significantly alter these properties. Christian Schönenberger’s team at the Swiss Nanoscience Institute and the University of Basel’s Department of Physics has now developed a method for investigating these properties without applying contacts.

To do this, the scientists embedded graphene in boron nitride, placed it on a superconductor and coupled it with a microwave resonator. Both the electrical resistance and the quantum capacitance of the graphene affect the quality factor and resonance frequency of the resonator. Although these signals are very weak, they can be captured using superconducting resonators.

By comparing the microwave characteristics of resonators with and without encapsulated graphene, the scientists could determine the encapsulated graphene’s electrical resistance and quantum capacitance. “These parameters are important in the determination of graphene’s exact properties and in the identification of limiting factors for its application,” explains Simon Zihlmann, a PhD student in Schönenberger’s group.

The boron nitride-encapsulated graphene served as a prototype material during the method’s development. Graphene integrated into other materials can be investigated in the same way. In addition, other two-dimensional materials can also be characterized without the use of electrical contacts; for example, the semiconductor molybdenum disulfide, which has applications in solar cells and optics.

This story is adapted from material from the University of Basel, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier. Link to original source.