Application of a gateless AlGaN/GaN HEMT sensor for diesel soot particulate detection

Journal article (2021)

Authors

R. Sokolovskij Southern University of Science and Technology
Hongze Zheng Southern University of Science and Technology
Wenmao Li Southern University of Science and Technology
Guangnan Zhou Southern University of Science and Technology, University of British Columbia
Qing Wang Southern University of Science and Technology
Kouchi Zhang Electronic Components, Technology and Materials - EEMCS
Hongyu Yu Southern University of Science and Technology
Research Group
Electronic Components, Technology and Materials (EEMCS) (TU Delft)
AlGaN/GaN HEMT 2DEG On-board diagnostics Diesel soot Soot sensor
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Published Date

2021

Language

English

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Faculty

Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Department

Microelectronics

Research Group

Electronic Components, Technology and Materials

Abstract

A particulate matter micro-sensor for automotive exhaust systems based on a gateless wide-bandgap AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor was developed and tested. Soot particles were generated by a laminar diesel flame and characterized with Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Particle adsorption at the rate of 0.25 µg/min on the sensor surface resulted in 5.52% sensing response after 20 s and large signal variation of 4.44 mA, indicating fast response time. Saturated response of 34.72% (27.94 mA) was obtained after 10 min of deposition. The sensitivity towards soot is attributed to the modulation of the two-dimensional electron gas density by charged particles on the sensing surface. After soot deposition, the sensor was successfully regenerated by thermal oxidation of the carbonaceous particles at 600 °C. The sensing response remained unchanged post-regeneration indicating high temperature stability and harsh environment operation compatibility of the demonstrated GaN-based sensor. Nevertheless, interconnect metal optimization is still required to mitigate high-temperature interdiffusion.