Quantum Physics in Heterojunction Nanohybrids Devices

Heterojunction nanohybrids based on graphene and other nanostructures (nano/graphene), such as semiconductor quantum dots, nanorods, nanotubes, nanodiscs, and nanoparticles have recently emerged as a promising platform to design quantum devices. These devices may have a broad spectrum of applications including photodetection, chemical/biomolecular/gas sensing, detection of mechanical deformation, etc. The nano/graphene heterojunction nanohybrids are quantum sensors that take advantages of the quantum confinement in graphene for superior charge mobility, and in nanostructures for unique optical spectral tunability, high surface area in sensing, and piezoelectricity, leading to high performance from nanohybrids devices that surpass their conventional counterparts. This review article intends to highlight a few examples of nano/graphene heterojunction nanohybrids that have been explored with a primary focus on the underlying quantum physics in nanohybrid design for different applications. At the end, a discussion of the performance limiting factors and future research perspective in nano/graphene heterojunction nanohybrids will be provided.