LAUSR

Graphene nanoscrolls (GNSs) with outstanding electrical and optical properties represent an ideal material for use in sensor applications. The aim of this work is to investigate the tunable optical properties of GNSs by utilizing a novel computational approach. We start by identifying an analytical model for the conductance of GNSs in the degenerate and nondegenerate regimes, highlighting the temperature dependence. Furthermore, the degenerate conductance model is adopted to derive the dielectric function and refractive index as the most significant optical characteristics. We evaluate the complex dielectric function and refractive index based on the GNS band structure and optical conductivity. The frequency dependence of the alternating-current conductivity of GNS is also studied. Moreover, the optical dielectric function and refractive index based on bandgap variations are investigated. The effect of some physical and electrical parameters such as channel length, wavelength, and applied voltage on the mentioned optical features are highlighted. To verify the accuracy of the proposed analytical model for a GNS-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor, it is compared with published data of a graphene counterpart with similar framework, revealing satisfactory agreement for analogous ambient conditions. According to this comparative study, changing the sensing material used in SPR-based sensors could result in a shift to higher SPR angle and broadening of the SPR curve. Such a shift to higher SPR angle would enhance the sensitivity of the sensor. The investigation of the optical properties of GNSs presented herein represents a step towards an analytical model for optical sensors such as those based on SPR.