Topological transitions in carbon nanotube networks via nanoscale confinement

Efforts aimed at large-scale integration of nanoelectronic devices that exploit the superior electronic and mechanical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) remain limited by the difficulties associated with manipulation and packaging of individual SWNTs. Alternative approaches based on ultra-thin carbon nanotube networks (CNNs) have enjoyed success of late with the realization of several scalable device applications. However, precise control over the network electronic transport is challenging due to i) an often uncontrollable interplay between network coverage and its topology and ii) the inherent electrical heterogeneity of the constituent SWNTs. In this letter, we use template-assisted fluidic assembly of SWCNT networks to explore the effect of geometric confinement on the network topology. Heterogeneous SWCNT networks dip-coated onto sub-micron wide ultra-thin polymer channels exhibit a topology that becomes increasingly aligned with decreasing channel width and thickness. Experimental scale coarse-grained computations of interacting SWCNTs show that the effect is a reflection of an aligned topology that is no longer dependent on the network density, which in turn emerges as a robust knob that can induce semiconductor-to-metallic transitions in the network response. Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of directed assembly on channels with varying degrees of confinement as a simple tool to tailor the conductance of the otherwise heterogeneous network, opening up the possibility of robust large-scale CNN-based devices.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

A micromachined surface acoustic wave sensor for detecting inert gases

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors must be specifically designed for each application because many variables directly affect the acoustic wave velocity. In the present work, the authors have designed, fabricated, and tested an SAW sensor for detection of metastable states of He. The sensor consists of two sets of micromachined interdigitated transducers (IDTs) and delay lines fabricated by photolithography on a single Y-cut LiNbO{sub 3} substrate oriented for Z-propagation of the SAWs. One set is used as a reference and the other set employs a delay line coated with a titanium-based thin film sensitive to electrical conductivity changes when exposed to metastable states of He. The reference sensor is used to obtain a true frequency translation in relation to a voltage controlled oscillator. An operating frequency of 109 MHz has been used, and the IDT finger width is 8 {micro}m. Variation in electrical conductivity of the thin film at the delay line due to exposure to He is detected as a frequency shift in the assembly, which is then used as a measure of the amount of metastable He exposed to the sensing film on the SAW delay line. A variation in the He pressure versus frequency shifts indicates the extent of the metastable He interaction

Automated extraction of single H atoms with STM: tip state dependency

The atomistic structure of the tip apex plays a crucial role in performing reliable atomic-scale surface and adsorbate manipulation using scanning probe techniques. We have developed an automated extraction routine for controlled removal of single hydrogen atoms from the H:Si(100) surface. The set of atomic extraction protocols detect a variety of desorption events during scanning tunneling microscope (STM)-induced modification of the hydrogen-passivated surface. The influence of the tip state on the probability for hydrogen removal was examined by comparing the desorption efficiency for various classifications of STM topographs (rows, dimers, atoms, etc). We find that dimer-row-resolving tip apices extract hydrogen atoms most readily and reliably (and with least spurious desorption), while tip states which provide atomic resolution counter-intuitively have a lower probability for single H atom removal

Dissociation of ssDNA - Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Hybrids by Watson-Crick Base Pairing

The unwrapping event of ssDNA from the SWNT during the Watson-Crick base paring is investigated through electrical and optical methods, and binding energy calculations. While the ssDNA-metallic SWNT hybrid shows the p-type semiconducting property, the hybridization product recovered metallic properties. The gel electrophoresis directly verifies the result of wrapping and unwrapping events which was also reflected to the Raman shifts. Our molecular dynamics simulations and binding energy calculations provide atomistic description for the pathway to this phenomenon. This nano-physical phenomenon will open up a new approach for nano-bio sensing of specific sequences with the advantages of efficient particle-based recognition, no labeling, and direct electrical detection which can be easily realized into a microfluidic chip format.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Coating mechanisms of single-walled carbon nanotube by linear polyether surfactants: insights from computer simulations

The noncovalent coating of carbon-based nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, has important applications in nanotechnology and nanomedicine. The molecular modeling of this process can clarify its mechanism and provide a tool for the design of novel materials. In this paper, the coating mechanism of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) in aqueous solutions by 1,2-dimethoxyethane oxide (DME), 1,2-dimethoxypropane oxide (DMP), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) pentamers, and L64 triblock copolymer chains have been studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results suggest a preferential binding to the SWCNT surface of the DMP molecules with respect to DME mainly driven by their difference in hydrophobicity. For the longer pentamers, it depends by the chain conformation. PPO isomers with radius of gyration larger than PEO pentamers bind more tightly than those with more compact conformation. In the case of the L64 triblock copolymer, the coating of the SWCNT surface produces a shell of PPO blocks with the PEO chains protruding into bulk water as expected from the so-called nonwrapping binding mechanism of SWCNT. In addition, the polymer coating, in qualitative agreement with experimental evidence on the poor capability of the L64 to disperse SWCNT, do not prevent the formation of CNT aggregates