First Principle Study of Salinity Measurement by 2D Material

By using first principle calculations, a simple model of salinity sensor based on graphene electrode is constructed and its electron transport property is systematically investigated. It is found that all saltwater clusters at different salinity exhibit an obvious increase of the current while the saltwater to be detected is passing through the device. Moreover, only changing one Na atom acted as the conductive medium, and the electron transport behaviors could be clearly distinguished among the saltwater by negative differential resistance phenomenon, which demonstrates that the graphene-based salinity sensor could be capable of distinguishing saltwater at different salinity efficiently and accurately. This study provides a new path for the creation of the novel salinity sensor by graphene and other 2D material electrode.