Carbon nano dots scale by focused ion beam system for MIS diode nano devices

Metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structures with a nanocrystal carbon (nc-C) embedded in SiO₂ thin films were fabricated using a focused ion beam (FIB) system with a precursor of low-energy Ga⁺ ion and carbon source. The crystallinity of nc-C was investigated by Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Raman spectra indicate the evidence of crystallization of nc-C after annealed at 600 °C by the sharp peak at 1565 cm⁻¹ in graphite (sp²), while no peak of diamond (sp³) could be seen at 1333 cm⁻¹. The AFM images showed the nc-C dots controlled with diameter of 100 nm, 200 nm and 300 nm, respectively. The above results revealed that the nc-C dots had sufficiently stuck onto SiO₂ films. The hysterisis loop in the capacitance-voltage characteristics appeared in the MIS device with SiO₂/nc-C/SiO₂ structure in which voltage shift is 0.32 V for radical oxidation and 0.14 V for dry oxidation, respectively.     

Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical behavior of polypyrrole/carbon nanotube composites using organometallic-functionalized carbon nanotubes

Thorn-like, organometallic-functionalized carbon nanotubes were successfully developed via a novel microwave hydrothermal route. The organometallic complex with methyl orange and iron (III) chloride served as reactive seed template, resulting in the oriented polymerization of pyrrole on the modified carbon nanotubes without the assistance of other oxidants. Morphological and structural characterizations of the carbon nanotube/methyl orange-iron (III) chloride and polypyrrole/carbon nanotube composites were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrochemical property of the polypyrrole/carbon nanotube composite was elucidated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge. A specific capacitance of 304 F g⁻¹ was obtained within the potential range of −0.5-0.5 V in 1 M KCl solution.     

Sonochemical production of a carbon nanotube

Sonochemical production of a carbon nanotube has been studied. The carbon nanotube is produced by applying ultrasound to liquid chlorobenzene with ZnCl₂ particles and to o-dichlorobenzene with ZnCl₂ and Zn particles. It is considered that the polymer and the disordered carbon, which are formed by cavitational collapse in homogeneous liquid, are annealed by the inter-particle collision induced by the turbulent flow and shockwaves.     

Fabrication of a carbon nanotube device using a patterned electrode and a local electric field

Suspensions of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and organic solvent were dropped onto a substrate which had patterned electrodes while applying a DC voltage between the electrodes. Both multiwall and single-wall (SW) CNTs were purified from the mixture of CNTs and the undesirable particles of carbon when the solvent dichloromethane was used at high temperature. It is found that a SW CNT bridges the gap of the electrodes. This enables us to fabricate CNT devices at a controlled position.     

Molecular dynamics study on the field effect ion transport in carbon nanotube

We investigated potassium ion transport in the (5, 5) carbon nanotube by using classical molecular dynamics simulations under applying external force fields. This can be applied to nanoscale ionic-field-effect devices. As the applying external force field increases, the potassium ions rapidly go through the nanochannel. Under the low external force fields, the thermal fluctuation of the nanochannel affected on the tunneling of the potassium ions, whereas the effects of the thermal fluctuation were negligible under the high external force fields.     

Nonlinear resonances of a single-wall carbon nanotube cantilever

The dynamics of an electrostatically actuated carbon nanotube (CNT) cantilever are discussed by theoretical and numerical approaches. Electrostatic and intermolecular forces between the single-walled CNT and a graphene electrode are considered. The CNT cantilever is analyzed by the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, including its geometric and inertial nonlinearities, and a one-mode projection based on the Galerkin approximation and numerical integration. Static pull-in and pull-out behaviors are adequately represented by an asymmetric two-well potential with the total potential energy consisting of the CNT elastic energy, electrostatic energy, and the Lennard-Jones potential energy. Nonlinear dynamics of the cantilever are simulated under DC and AC voltage excitations and examined in the frequency and time domains. Under AC-only excitation, a superharmonic resonance of order 2 occurs near half of the primary frequency. Under both DC and AC loads, the cantilever exhibits linear and nonlinear primary and secondary resonances depending on the strength of the excitation voltages. In addition, the cantilever has dynamic instabilities such as periodic or chaotic tapping motions, with a variation of excitation frequency at the resonance branches. High electrostatic excitation leads to complex nonlinear responses such as softening, multiple stability changes at saddle nodes, or period-doubling bifurcation points in the primary and secondary resonance branches.     

Field emission properties of carbon nanotube cathodes produced using composite plating

Field emission properties of carbon nanotube field emission cathodes (CNT-FECs) produced using composite plating are studied. The experiment uses a CNT suspension and electroless Ni plating bath to carry out composite plating. The CNTs were first purified by an acid solution, dispersed in a Ni electrobath, and finally co-deposited with Ni on glass substrates to synthesize electrically conductive films. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy results show that the field emission characteristics and graphitic properties of CNT-FECs depend on the pH value of the electrobath. Experiments show that the optimum electrobath pH value is 5.4, achieving a field emission current density of 1.0 mA/cm² at an applied electric field of 1.5 V/μm. The proposed CNT-FECs possess good field emission characteristics and have potential for backlight unit application in liquid crystal displays.     

Self-organized dot patterns on Si surfaces during noble gas ion beam erosion

The erosion of target materials with energetic ions can lead to the formation of patterns on the surface. During low-energy (?2000 eV) noble gas (Ne⁺, Ar⁺, Kr⁺, Xe⁺) ion beam erosion of silicon surfaces dot patterns evolve on the surface. Dot structures form at oblique ion incidence of 75° with respect to surface normal, with simultaneous sample rotation, at room temperature. The lateral ordering of dots increases while the dot size remains constant with ion fluence, leading to very well ordered dot patterns for prolonged sputtering. Depending on ion beam parameters, dot nanostructures have a mean size from 25 nm up to 50 nm, and a mean height up to 15 nm. The formation of dot patterns depends on the ion/target mass ratio and on the ion energy. The temporal evolution and the lateral ordering of these nanostructures is studied using scanning force microscopy (AFM).     

Structural and surface features of multiwall carbon nanotube

We present the direct evidence of defective and disorder places on the surface of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT), visualizing the presence of amorphous carbon at those sites. These defective surfaces being higher in energy are the key features of functionalization with different materials. The interaction of the π orbital electrons of different carbon atoms of adjacent layers is more at the bent portion, than that of regular portion of the CNT. Hence the tubular structure of the bent portion of nanotubes is spaced more than that of regular portion of the nanotubes, minimizing the stress.     

Single-wall carbon nanotube chemical attachment at platinum electrodes

Self-assembled monolayer (SAM) techniques were used to adsorb 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) on platinum electrodes in order to obtain an amino-terminated SAM as the base for the chemical attachment of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). A physico-chemical, morphological and electrochemical characterizations of SWCNTs attached onto the modified Pt electrodes was done by using reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques. The SWNTs/4-ATP/Pt surface had regions of small, medium, and large thickness of carbon nanotubes with heights of 100-200 nm, 700 nm to 1.5 μm, and 1.0-3.0 μm, respectively. Cyclic voltammetries (CVs) in sulfuric acid demonstrated that attachment of SWNTs on 4-ATP/Pt is markedly stable, even after 30 potential cycles. CV in ruthenium hexamine was similar to bare Pt electrodes, suggesting that SWNTs assembly is similar to a closely packed microelectrode array.     

Study of nitrogen ion implantation and diffusion phenomena on thin chromium layers followed by the atomic force microscopy and secondary ion mass spectroscopy techniques characterization

This research investigates the effect of ion implantation dosage level and further thermal treatment on the physical characteristics of chromium coatings on Si(1 1 1) substrates. Chromium films had been exposed to nitrogen ion fluencies of 1 × 10¹⁷, 3 × 10¹⁷, 6 × 10¹⁷ and 10 × 10¹⁷ N⁺ cm⁻² with a 15 keV energy level. Obtained samples had been heat treated at 450 °C at a pressure of 2 × 10⁻² Torr in an argon atmosphere for 30 h. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images showed significant increase in surface roughness as a result of nitrogen ion fluence increase. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) studies revealed a clear increased accumulation of Cr₂N phase near the surface as a result of higher N⁺ fluence. XRD patterns showed preferred growth of [0 0 2] and [1 1 1] planes of Cr₂N phase as a result of higher ion implantation fluence. These results had been explained based on the nucleation-growth of Cr₂N phase and nitrogen atoms diffusion history during the thermal treatment process.     

Behavior of H2O molecule in carbon nanotube/boron nitride nanotube heterostructure

We perform total-energy electronic-structure calculations of a water molecule inside a (7, 7) carbon nanotube/boron nitride nanotube (CNT/BNNT) heterojunction. The van der Waals interaction is also considered in this study. We find that the equilibrium distance between the water molecule and the wall of the CNT (BNNT) is ≈ 3.3 Å, and the encapsulation energy is 0.22 eV (0.25 eV). The energy profile along the tube axis exhibits a dramatic change in the vicinity of the heterojunction. A speed change of water flow is expected to occur near the heterojunction. Such information would provide valuable insight in nanostructure design for nanofluidics.     

Field emission characteristic of screen-printed carbon nanotube cathode

The fabrication of carbon nanotube emitters with excellent emission properties is described. The multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method were purified with oxidation method and mixed with organic binding pastes and then screen-printed on glass substrates with ITO film. We applied anode voltage gradually to refine the emission behavior of the emitter by cleaning the top surface of screen-printed carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The density of the carbon nanotubes is about 2.5×10⁸/cm². Diode field emission experiments were performed in dynamic vacuum system to study the emission current, the emission uniformity, etc. Bright and stable character emission images were obtained in the diode structure and the emission current could approach 1 mA/cm².     

Surfactant-assisted reflux synthesis, characterization and formation mechanism of carbon nanotube/europium hydroxide core-shell nanowires

Carbon nanotube (CNT)/europium hydroxide core-shell nanowires were prepared easily on a large scale under the boiling reflux of water assisted by the surfactant, sodium polystyrenesulfonate (SPS). The core-shell nanowires are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectrum. A possible formation mechanism has been suggested as follows: The phenyl rings of SPS can react with the carbon ring of CNTs to form the π-π noncovalent bond, which makes the SPS cover the surface of CNTs entirely, and thus the surface of modified CNTs is negatively charged, which repel with each other resulting in the good dispersion. In addition, the negatively charged surface of CNTs adsorbs europium ions (positive). The adsorbed europium ions in situ react with OH⁻ ions to create europium hydroxide nanoparticles, and subsequently, the nanoparticles fuse together to form a dense coating layer on CNTs.     

Metallization of the semiconducting carbon nanotube by encapsulated bromine molecules

We use ab initio density-functional calculations to investigate the electronic structure of the bromine-adsorbed carbon nanotubes. When a Br₂ molecule is inside the (10,0) carbon nanotube, a trace of electron charge transfers from the nanotube to the Br₂ adsorbate, resulting in an increased Br–Br bond length. When the supercell contains two Br₂ molecules, total energy calculations reveal the formation of a linear chain of bromine atoms inside the carbon nanotube. Electron transfer from the nanotube to the atomic chains of the bromine adsorbates is much enhanced even in large-diameter nanotubes. We suggest that an exposure of the tip-opened carbon nanotube samples to a modest Br₂ partial pressure could result in a strong hole-doping of the nanotube, which makes the semiconducting nanotubes nearly metallic.     

Evolution of self-assembled Ge/Si island grown by ion beam sputtering deposition

The effect of temperature and Ge coverage on the evolution of self-assembled Ge/Si islands grown by ion beam sputtering deposition is studied. Atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy are used to analyze the island morphology and the intermixing between Si and Ge. The experiments are presented in two aspects. First, when the temperature is increased, intermixing is promoted, resulting in the reappearance of low aspect ratio islands. Second, a different evolution pathway is observed, in which short islands initially don’t grow along the constant ratio of 11:1 (diameter:height) and the islands always grow faster in vertical direction. In summary, the interdiffusion, surface diffusion, and amount of Ge determines the evolution of Ge/Si islands.     

Effect of sp-hybridized defects on the oscillatory behavior of carbon nanotube oscillators

Using molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate the oscillatory behaviors of carbon nanotube oscillators containing sp³-hybridized defects formed by hydrogen chemisorption. It is found that the presence of these defects significantly affects the kinetic and potential energies of the nanotube systems, which in turn affects their oscillation periods and frequencies. We have also studied the oscillatory characteristics of the oscillators containing sp³-hybridized Stone-Wales defects. Our results show that it is possible to control the motion of the inner nanotube by introducing sp³-hybridized defects on the outer nanotube, which provides a potential way to tune the oscillatory behavior of nanotube oscillators.     

Preparation of large-area double-walled carbon nanotube films and application as film heater

Large-area (larger than 30×30 cm²) double-walled carbon nanotube (DWCNT) films are prepared and application as a heating element for film heaters is demonstrated. A high heating efficiency is observed. Measurements indicate that the use of the DWCNT film heater would save energy consumption up to 20–30% when compared with a commercial film-like metal-based heater. Morphological analysis reveals that the special surface structure, appropriate electric and high thermal conductivities of the film formed by the network of entangled nanotube bundles may lead to the high heating performance. Considering large-area, shape flexibility, negligible weight and easy manipulation, the film exhibits promising potential applications as a film heater for thermal control in aircrafts, medical equipment, home appliances and other industrial fields at low temperature (below 400 °C).     

Compressive characteristics of single walled carbon nanotube with water interactions investigated by using molecular dynamics simulation

The elastic properties of single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) with surrounding water interactions are studied using molecular dynamics simulation technique. The compressive loading characteristic of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a fluidic medium such as water is critical for its role in determining the lifetime and stability of CNT based nano-fluidic devices. In this paper, we conducted a comprehensive analysis on the effect of geometry, chirality and density of encapsulated water on the elastic properties of SWCNT. Our studies show that defect density and distribution can strongly impact the compressive resistance of SWCNTs in water. Further studies were conducted on capped SWCNTs with varying densities of encapsulated water, which is necessary to understand the strength of CNT as a potential drug carrier. The results obtained from this paper will help determining the potential applications of CNTs in the field of nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) such as nano-biological and nano-fluidic devices.     

First-principles study of elastic properties of high hydrogenated single-walled carbon nanotube

Using the first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT), we have investigated the mechanical properties of three typical patterns of the highly hydrogenated SWCNTs. For the stable parallel polyacetylene-like chains pattern (pattern III), Young's modulus of the type A configuration, which is one of the stable configurations of pattern III, has larger Young's modulus than that of the others with the same coverage on the same pristine tube, i.e. the vertical chain pattern (pattern I) and the dimer pattern (pattern II) ones. On the other hand, Young's modulus of type B configuration also belonged to pattern III changes slightly. We also verified that Young's modulus decreases enormously as the coverage increases above 50% and reduces to about one-third of that of the pristine carbon nanotubes at 100% coverage.