Investigating the Effects of Irradiation on the Performance of Carbyne-Based Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors

This study investigates the effects of irradiation on the performance of carbyne-based surface acoustic wave sensors for ethanol sensing. Carbyne, a carbon allotrope, shows promise in sensing applications, but its stability under radiation, relevant in nuclear and medical settings, is not investigated yet. SAW devices coated with carbyne-enriched films were exposed to 100 kRad of irradiation, and their ethanol-sensing performance was evaluated before and after exposure by measuring impedance, phase angle, resistance, capacitance, and signal response. After irradiation, a slight increase in impedance (approximately 1%) was observed across the frequency range, and the phase angle shifted, with a maximal deviation of approximately 10°. The contact resistance negligibly increased, while the interface capacitance decreased by almost one order of magnitude for some frequencies. Most importantly, the voltage difference between the output and the input signal increased from a 17 mV before irradiation to 172 mV after exposure to 100 kRad, indicating improved sensitivity. Results indicate that irradiation doesn't negatively impact sensor performance; in fact, it enhances sensitivity to ethanol. The study provides insights into the stability of carbyne coatings under harsh conditions and the reliability of carbyne-based SAW sensors following irradiation.