Xenes-based QCM sensors: exploring borophene and silicene for humidity sensing

Abstract Borophene and silicene, two novel members of the Xene family, feature high surface reactivity and stability suitable for sensing applications. However, the gas sensing capabilities of these materials in their pristine form have not been systematically investigated. Here we show that borophe...

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Main Authors: Ahmet Gulsaran, Bersu Bastug Azer, Gamze Gursu, Cihat Tasaltin, Nevin Tasaltin, Dogu Ozyigit, A.-Reum Kim, Boxin Zhao, Michael A. Pope, Mustafa Yavuz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-07-01
Series:Discover Nano
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-025-04284-w
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author Ahmet Gulsaran
Bersu Bastug Azer
Gamze Gursu
Cihat Tasaltin
Nevin Tasaltin
Dogu Ozyigit
A.-Reum Kim
Boxin Zhao
Michael A. Pope
Mustafa Yavuz
author_facet Ahmet Gulsaran
Bersu Bastug Azer
Gamze Gursu
Cihat Tasaltin
Nevin Tasaltin
Dogu Ozyigit
A.-Reum Kim
Boxin Zhao
Michael A. Pope
Mustafa Yavuz
author_sort Ahmet Gulsaran
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Borophene and silicene, two novel members of the Xene family, feature high surface reactivity and stability suitable for sensing applications. However, the gas sensing capabilities of these materials in their pristine form have not been systematically investigated. Here we show that borophene- and silicene-based quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors achieve stable and sensitive relative humidity detection and we model their adsorption–desorption mechanisms. Borophene and silicene nanosheets were synthesized via liquid-phase exfoliation and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis. The QCM sensors exhibited sensitivities of 3.2 Hz/%RH and 3.9 Hz/%RH, response/recovery times of 122/65 s and 47/130 s and hysteresis of 1.8% and 3.8% hysteresis for borophene and silicene, respectively. The dominant sensing mechanism was determined to be chemisorption, supported by thermodynamic modeling. These results suggest that 2D borophene and silicene can significantly contribute to sensing applications, especially in environments requiring air stability.
format Article
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issn 2731-9229
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Springer
record_format Article
series Discover Nano
spelling doaj-art-ad1cfdff19574c33809efb9c6271ee432025-08-20T03:06:02ZengSpringerDiscover Nano2731-92292025-07-0120111810.1186/s11671-025-04284-wXenes-based QCM sensors: exploring borophene and silicene for humidity sensingAhmet Gulsaran0Bersu Bastug Azer1Gamze Gursu2Cihat Tasaltin3Nevin Tasaltin4Dogu Ozyigit5A.-Reum Kim6Boxin Zhao7Michael A. Pope8Mustafa Yavuz9Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of WaterlooDepartment of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of WaterlooDepartment of Basic Sciences, Maltepe UniversityMaterials Institute, TUBITAK Marmara Research CenterDepartment of Basic Sciences, Maltepe UniversityDepartment of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of WaterlooWaterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN), University of WaterlooDepartment of Chemical Engineering, University of WaterlooWaterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN), University of WaterlooDepartment of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of WaterlooAbstract Borophene and silicene, two novel members of the Xene family, feature high surface reactivity and stability suitable for sensing applications. However, the gas sensing capabilities of these materials in their pristine form have not been systematically investigated. Here we show that borophene- and silicene-based quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors achieve stable and sensitive relative humidity detection and we model their adsorption–desorption mechanisms. Borophene and silicene nanosheets were synthesized via liquid-phase exfoliation and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis. The QCM sensors exhibited sensitivities of 3.2 Hz/%RH and 3.9 Hz/%RH, response/recovery times of 122/65 s and 47/130 s and hysteresis of 1.8% and 3.8% hysteresis for borophene and silicene, respectively. The dominant sensing mechanism was determined to be chemisorption, supported by thermodynamic modeling. These results suggest that 2D borophene and silicene can significantly contribute to sensing applications, especially in environments requiring air stability.https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-025-04284-wBoropheneSiliceneHumidity sensingQuartz crystal microbalanceChemisorption
spellingShingle Ahmet Gulsaran
Bersu Bastug Azer
Gamze Gursu
Cihat Tasaltin
Nevin Tasaltin
Dogu Ozyigit
A.-Reum Kim
Boxin Zhao
Michael A. Pope
Mustafa Yavuz
Xenes-based QCM sensors: exploring borophene and silicene for humidity sensing
Discover Nano
Borophene
Silicene
Humidity sensing
Quartz crystal microbalance
Chemisorption
title Xenes-based QCM sensors: exploring borophene and silicene for humidity sensing
title_full Xenes-based QCM sensors: exploring borophene and silicene for humidity sensing
title_fullStr Xenes-based QCM sensors: exploring borophene and silicene for humidity sensing
title_full_unstemmed Xenes-based QCM sensors: exploring borophene and silicene for humidity sensing
title_short Xenes-based QCM sensors: exploring borophene and silicene for humidity sensing
title_sort xenes based qcm sensors exploring borophene and silicene for humidity sensing
topic Borophene
Silicene
Humidity sensing
Quartz crystal microbalance
Chemisorption
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-025-04284-w
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