Scientific Reports (Aug 2017)

Magnesium Oxide (MgO) pH-sensitive Sensing Membrane in Electrolyte-Insulator-Semiconductor Structures with CF4 Plasma Treatment

  • Chyuan-Haur Kao,
  • Chia Lung Chang,
  • Wei Ming Su,
  • Yu Tzu Chen,
  • Chien Cheng Lu,
  • Yu Shan Lee,
  • Chen Hao Hong,
  • Chan-Yu Lin,
  • Hsiang Chen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-07699-3
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

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Abstract Magnesium oxide (MgO) sensing membranes in pH-sensitive electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor structures were fabricated on silicon substrate. To optimize the sensing capability of the membrane, CF4 plasma was incorporated to improve the material quality of MgO films. Multiple material analyses including FESEM, XRD, AFM, and SIMS indicate that plasma treatment might enhance the crystallization and increase the grain size. Therefore, the sensing behaviors in terms of sensitivity, linearity, hysteresis effects, and drift rates might be improved. MgO-based EIS membranes with CF4 plasma treatment show promise for future industrial biosensing applications.