Mechanical and electrical characterization of β-Ga₂O₃ nanostructures for sensing applications

Single crystalline β-Ga₂O₃ nanowire and nanoribbon materials were synthesized, and electrical and mechanical properties were studied for sensing applications. The structural analysis showed that the Ga₂O₃ nanomaterials were stoichiometric and had the same crystal lattice structure as the β phase Ga₂O₃ crystal. The mechanical study on individual Ga₂O₃ nanowires and nanoribbons showed that they had a bending modulus of around 300 GPa, are flexible (in bending and twisting), and are easy to be cleaved along their crystal lattice. The current-voltage electrical characterization through the thickness of nanoribbon and along the length of nanowire confirmed their semiconducting characteristic. A two-terminal device fabricated with an individual Ga₂O₃ nanowire showed good sensing response to ethanol gas at low-operating temperature, which revealed the potential of using such nanostructures for effective sensing applications.