Tuning the Infrared Absorption of SiC Metasurfaces by Electrically Gating Monolayer Graphene with Solid Polymer Electrolyte for Dynamic Radiative Thermal Management and Sensing Applications

Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate actively tunable infrared absorption based on graphene-covered SiC metasurfaces. A dry transfer method is employed to coat monolayer graphene on the metasurface characterized by scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. A solid polymer electrolyte is introduced to tune the graphene chemical potential upon electrical gating. In situ optical measurement shows a shift in the absorption peak upon a change in gate voltage. Numerical simulations unveil that the tuning effect is attributed to the excitation of a magnetic polariton, whose resonance frequency changes with graphene chemical potential upon electrical gating. The reported results realize the possibility of tuning thermal radiative property of a graphene-covered metasurface through a solid polymer electrolyte, providing a new approach to fabricating graphene-based tunable infrared devices for dynamic radiative thermal management and sensing applications.

Surface Functionalization and Texturing of Optical Metasurfaces for Sensing Applications

“…Long et al fabricated a graphene−silicon carbide hybrid metasurface using a dry transfer method. 177 This device was employed to demonstrate tunable infrared absorption by an electrical gating mechanism for sensing applications, and these properties were attributed to excitation of a magnetic polariton whose resonance frequency changes with the chemical potential of the graphene component. Another metamaterial combination was demonstrated by Lee et al, who developed a highly sensitive device for biosensing applications by etching a graphene−copper foil to fabricate a nanoslot-type metamaterial.…”

“…Although gold–graphene hybrids are the most common graphene-based hybrid materials, other metamaterial combinations have also been developed and tested. Long et al fabricated a graphene–silicon carbide hybrid metasurface using a dry transfer method . This device was employed to demonstrate tunable infrared absorption by an electrical gating mechanism for sensing applications, and these properties were attributed to excitation of a magnetic polariton whose resonance frequency changes with the chemical potential of the graphene component.…”

Infrared radiative switching with thermally and electrically tunable transition metal oxides-based plasmonic grating

“…MP are induced through resonant electromagnetic coupling and conduction in deep groove cavities between metal gratings 31 , 32 . MP can also be induced through ceramic material, silicon carbide due to effect of surface phonon polariton (SPhP) 34 , 35 . Furthermore, with 2D materials such as flat graphene on plasmonic grating, the absorptance is enhanced where strong coupling between MP and SPP resonance can be observed 36 , 37 .…”

Surface Functionalization of TiO2 Nanoparticles Influences the Conductivity of Ionic Liquid-Based Composite Electrolytes

“…Electrolyte is an important component of energy conversion and storage devices such as rechargeable lithium batteries, − supercapacitors, − and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). , It should have high conductivity, good mechanical property, low flammability, etc. − Recently, research has been conducted on composite electrolytes, including solid–liquid composite electrolytes (“soggy sand” electrolytes), − composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs), , composite solid electrolytes (CSEs), etc. It has been demonstrated that composite electrolytes exhibit superior mechanical and synergistic electrical properties.…”