A modified cryostat for photo-electrical characterization of porous materials in controlled atmosphere at very low gas dosage

We developed an integrated system for photo-electrical characterization of materials for sensing applications in strictly controlled environment conditions. The peculiar aspect of this setup is the capability of a fine-tuned gas dosage and a fast dynamic chamber pressure control, coupled with current and voltage sensing within a modified cryostat. To illustrate the capabilities of our system we have characterised both p(+)-type mesoporous silicon (meso-PS) membranes and nano-crystalline mesoporous titanium dioxide (nc-TiO2) films. In particular, as a main topic is presented a well-resolved characterization of mesoporous silicon electrical conductivity changes induced by presence of ethanol. At low pore filling level adsorbate-shunted conduction is avoided, while dielectric screening effects on frozen doping centres are observable. Beside we presented observation of mesoporous titanium dioxide photo-conductivity as a function of different gas pressure reporting opposite effects of relatively low- and high-pressure regimes. High reproducibility provided by the system is discussed as a final remark. (C) 2014 Author(s)