Modulated chemical doping of individual carbon nanotubes

Synergistic Interactions in Sequential Process Doping of Polymer/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites for Enhanced n-Type Thermoelectric Performance

This study focuses on the fabrication of nanocomposite thermoelectric devices by blending either a naphthalene-diimide (NDI)-based conjugated polymer (NDI-T1 or NDI-T2), or an isoindigo (IID)-based conjugated polymer (IID-T2), with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). This is followed by sequential process doping method with the small molecule 4-(2,3-dihydro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-N,N-dimethylbenzenamine (N-DMBI) to provide the nanocomposite with n-type thermoelectric properties. Experiments in which the concentrations of the N-DMBI dopant are varied demonstrate the successful conversion of all three polymer/SWCNT nanocomposites from p-type to n-type behavior. Comprehensive spectroscopic, microstructural, and morphological analyses of the pristine polymers and the various N-DMBI-doped polymer/SWCNT nanocomposites are performed in order to gain insights into the effects of various interactions between the polymers and SWCNTs on the doping outcomes. Among the obtained nanocomposites, the NDI-T1/SWCNT exhibits the highest n-type Seebeck coefficient and power factor of -57.7 µV K-1 and 240.6 µW m-1 K-2 , respectively. However, because the undoped NDI-T2/SWCNT exhibits a slightly higher p-type performance, an integral p-n thermoelectric generator is fabricated using the doped and undoped NDI-T2/SWCNT nanocomposite. This device is shown to provide an output power of 27.2 nW at a temperature difference of 20 K.

Single walled carbon nanotubes band gap width measurement and the influence of nitrogen doping research

The adjustment and measurement of the band gap width of single-walled carbon nanotubes are crucial for optimizing the design and enhancing the performance of carbon-based devices. This study utilizes the relationship between the band gap and temperature of semiconductor-based carbon nanotubes. The electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes was obtained at various temperatures, and the corresponding band gap width (0.57 eV) was determined. The introduction of nitrogen results in a reduction of the band gap width and an increase in current flow between the device source and drain electrodes. Theoretical calculation demonstrated that nitrogen doping not only increases the conductivity of carbon nanotubes but also effectively inhibits the Schottky barrier between carbon nanotubes and metal electrodes. The Schottky barrier and the internal electric field can be effectively modulated via nitrogen doping in carbon nanotubes, which enhances the performance of carbon-based devices.

Molecular Doping Modulation and Applications of Structure-Sorted Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: A Review

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) that have a reproducible distribution of chiralities or single chirality are among the most competitive materials for realizing post-silicon electronics. Molecular doping, with its non-destructive and fine-tunable characteristics, is emerging as the primary doping approach for the structure-controlled SWCNTs, enabling their eventual use in various functional devices. This review provides an overview of important advances in the area of molecular doping of structure-controlled SWCNTs and their applications. The first part introduces the underlying physical process of molecular doping, followed by a comprehensive survey of the commonly used dopants for SWCNTs to date. Then, it highlights how the convergence of molecular doping and structure-sorting strategies leads to significantly improved functionality of SWCNT-based field-effect transistor arrays, transparent electrodes in optoelectronics, thermoelectrics, and many emerging devices. At last, several challenges and opportunities in this field are discussed, with the hope of shedding light on promoting the practical application of SWCNTs in future electronics.

Theoretical and experimental investigations of enhanced carbon nanotube-gold interface conductivity through nitrogen doping

It is necessary to establish high-quality contact between carbon nanotubes and metals in carbon-based devices. However, how to control and reduce contact resistance still remains unsolved. In this study, the effect of N doping in single-walled carbon nanotubes on the contact resistance with gold was studied by combining theoretical calculation with experimental methods. The theoretical results indicate that nitrogen doping in carbon nanotubes can control the bottom of the carbon nanotube conduction band downward, the Fermi level enters the conduction band, the height of the Schottky barrier between the bottom of the carbon nanotube conduction band and the gold Fermi level decreases, and the increase in doping concentration leads to the decrease of Schottky barrier width. As a result, the conductivity between the gold and carbon nanotube interface is enhanced. During experiments, the carrier density and the current of the gold and carbon nanotube device increase gradually with the increase in N doping concentration and a good electron transport channel is established between the gold and carbon nanotubes. The high-quality contact is crucial to reducing the size, improving the performance, and reducing the power consumption of carbon-based devices.

Carbon nanotube papers with p-n junctions along the thickness direction

Conductive papers made from carbon nanotubes and wood fibers exhibit a p-type character. N2 plasma treatment converts paper into n-type and conversion is verified by elemental analyses, work function and Hall-effect measurements. By screening one face of p-type paper in plasma, the p-n junctions are successfully created along the thickness direction and electrical rectification is evident by current-voltage measurement.

High-Sensitivity 2D MoS2/1D MWCNT Hybrid Dimensional Heterostructure Photodetector

A photodetector based on a hybrid dimensional heterostructure of laterally aligned multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and multilayered MoS₂ was prepared using the micro-nano fixed-point transfer technique. Thanks to the high mobility of carbon nanotubes and the efficient interband absorption of MoS₂, broadband detection from visible to near-infrared (520-1060 nm) was achieved. The test results demonstrate that the MWCNT-MoS2 heterostructure-based photodetector device exhibits an exceptional responsivity, detectivity, and external quantum efficiency. Specifically, the device demonstrated a responsivity of 3.67 × 10³ A/W (λ = 520 nm, V_ds = 1 V) and 718 A/W (λ = 1060 nm, V_ds = 1 V). Moreover, the detectivity (D*) of the device was found to be 1.2 × 10¹⁰ Jones (λ = 520 nm) and 1.5 × 10⁹ Jones (λ = 1060 nm), respectively. The device also demonstrated external quantum efficiency (EQE) values of approximately 8.77 × 10⁵% (λ = 520 nm) and 8.41 × 10⁴% (λ = 1060 nm). This work achieves visible and infrared detection based on mixed-dimensional heterostructures and provides a new option for optoelectronic devices based on low-dimensional materials.

Ultra-long air-stability of n-type carbon nanotube films with low thermal conductivity and all-carbon thermoelectric generators

This report presents n-type single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) films with ultra-long air stability using a cationic surfactant and demonstrates that the n-type Seebeck coefficient can be maintained for more than two years, which is the highest stability reported thus far to the best of our knowledge. Furthermore, the SWCNT films exhibit an extremely low thermal conductivity of 0.62 ± 0.08 W/(m·K) in the in-plane direction, which is very useful for thin-film TEGs. We fabricated all-carbon-nanotube TEGs, which use p-type SWCNT films and the n-type SWCNT films developed, and their air-stability was investigated. The TEGs did not degrade for 160 days and exhibited an output voltage of 24 mV, with a maximum power of 0.4 µW at a temperature difference of 60 K. These results open a pathway to enable the widespread use of carbon nanotube TEGs as power sources in IoT sensors.

Carbon-Related Materials: Graphene and Carbon Nanotubes in Semiconductor Applications and Design

As the scaling technology in the silicon-based semiconductor industry is approaching physical limits, it is necessary to search for proper materials to be utilized as alternatives for nanoscale devices and technologies. On the other hand, carbon-related nanomaterials have attracted so much attention from a vast variety of research and industry groups due to the outstanding electrical, optical, mechanical and thermal characteristics. Such materials have been used in a variety of devices in microelectronics. In particular, graphene and carbon nanotubes are extraordinarily favorable substances in the literature. Hence, investigation of carbon-related nanomaterials and nanostructures in different ranges of applications in science, technology and engineering is mandatory. This paper reviews the basics, advantages, drawbacks and investigates the recent progress and advances of such materials in micro and nanoelectronics, optoelectronics and biotechnology.

High-Performance Ultrabroadband Photodetector Based on Photothermoelectric Effect

Ultrabroadband photodetectors (PDs) working in the frequency range from the UV to THz regions of the spectrum play a crucial role in integrated multifunction photoelectric detection. Even so, a shortage of high-performance PDs has seriously restricted the overall development of this field. The present work demonstrates a high-performance, ultrabroadband PD with a composite nanostructure comprising a suspended carbon nanotube (CNT) film on which titanium and palladium are deposited. The application of titanium and palladium to the CNT film in this device provides n-doping and p-doping, respectively, and the deposited metal nanoparticles also ensure enhanced thermal localization. This device exhibits short response time, high responsivity, large linear dynamic range, and small noise equivalent power over the ultrabroadband spectrum based on a strong photothermoelectric effect. Numerical simulation results also confirm the effective doping and enhanced thermal localization in this PD resulting from the deposited metals. A theoretical analysis shows that the thermal conductivity of the composite film is no longer independent of the temperature over a wide temperature range. This work provides a simple but novel strategy for the design of high-performance ultrabroadband PDs.

Engineering van der Waals Materials for Advanced Metaphotonics

The outstanding chemical and physical properties of 2D materials, together with their atomically thin nature, make them ideal candidates for metaphotonic device integration and construction, which requires deep subwavelength light-matter interaction to achieve optical functionalities beyond conventional optical phenomena observed in naturally available materials. In addition to their intrinsic properties, the possibility to further manipulate the properties of 2D materials via chemical or physical engineering dramatically enhances their capability, evoking new science on light-matter interaction, leading to leaped performance of existing functional devices and giving birth to new metaphotonic devices that were unattainable previously. Comprehensive understanding of the intrinsic properties of 2D materials, approaches and capabilities for chemical and physical engineering methods, the resulting property modifications and novel functionalities, and applications of metaphotonic devices are provided in this review. Through reviewing the detailed progress in each aspect and the state-of-the-art achievement, insightful analyses of the outstanding challenges and future directions are elucidated in this cross-disciplinary comprehensive review with the aim to provide an overall development picture in the field of 2D material metaphotonics and promote rapid progress in this fast emerging and prosperous field.

Ceria Boosting on In Situ Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Oxide for Efficient Bifunctional ORR/OER Activity

In the present work, a highly efficient and excellent electrocatalyst material for bifunctional oxygen reduction/evolution reaction (ORR/OER) was synthesized using the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. In brief, ultrafine hexagonal cerium oxide (CeO₂) nanoparticles were tailored on the layered surface of in situ nitrogen-doped graphene oxide (NGO) sheets. The nanocomposites exhibited a high anodic onset potential of 0.925 V vs. RHE for ORR activity and 1.2 V for OER activity with a very high current density in 0.5 M KOH. The influence of oxygen cluster on Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ ion decoration on outward/inward in situ nitrogen-coupled GO enhanced the physicochemical properties of composites and in turn increased electron transferability. The microwave-assisted hydrothermal coupling technique provides a higher density, active sites on CeO₂@NGO composites, and oxygen deficiency structures in ultrafine Ce-O particles and boosts higher charge transferability in the composites. It is believed that the physical states of Ce-N- C, Ce-C=O, and a higher amount of oxygen participation with ceria increase the density of composites that in turn increases the efficiency. N-doped graphene oxide promotes high current conduction and rapid electron transferability while reducing the external transport resistance in oxygen electrocatalysis by sufficient mass transfer through in-built channels. This study may provide insights into the knowledge of Ce-enabled bifunctional activity to guide the design of a robust catalyst for electrochemical performance.

New rout for synthesizing triammonium citrate crystal with unique crystallography and its application in synthesizing nitrogen doped graphene quantum dot

Triammonium citrate crystal (TAC) has many applications in food, pharmaceutical, agricultural and other industries. In this work, TAC crystals were synthesized using a new method and with the least use of materials and tools. This crystal has a unique structure and special and new angles and bonds that were identified by crystallography. This crystal was then used to synthesize nitrogen- doped graphene quantum dot (N-GQD) with hydrothermal method. Synthesized N-GQD has particular morphology, fluorescence and viscosity. Compared with other nitrogen compounds necessary for N-GQDs synthesis, ammonia is much more suitable due to its low toxicity and stability. Synthesized TAC and N-GQD were identified by FT-IR, XRD, TGA, EDS, SEM, crystallography and fluorescence.

Reconfigurable Tunneling Transistors Heterostructured by an Individual Carbon Nanotube and MoS2

Low-dimensional semiconductors have shown great potential in switches for their atomically thin geometries and unique properties. It is significant to achieve new tunneling transistors by the efficient stacking methodology with low-dimensional building blocks. Here, we report a one-dimensional (1D)-two-dimensional (2D) mixed-dimensional van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure, which was efficiently fabricated by stacking an individual semiconducting carbon nanotube (CNT) and 2D MoS₂. The CNT-MoS₂ heterostructure shows specific reconfigurable electrical transport behaviors and can be set as a nn junction, pn diode, and band-to-band tunneling (BTBT) transistor by gate voltage. The transport properties, especially BTBT, could be attributed to the electron transfer from MoS₂ to CNT through the ideal vdW interface and the 1D nature of the CNT. The progress suggests a new solution for tunneling transistors by making 1D-2D heterostructures from the rich library of low-dimensional nanomaterials. Furthermore, the reconfigurable functions and nanoscaled junction show that it is prospective to apply CNT-MoS₂ heterostructures in future nanoelectronics and nano-optoelectronics.

Ultra-wideband self-powered photodetector based on suspended reduced graphene oxide with asymmetric metal contacts

The ultraviolet to terahertz band forms the main focus of optoelectronics research, while light detection in different bands generally requires the use of different materials and processing methods. However, researchers are aiming to realize multi-band detection simultaneously in the same device in certain specific application scenarios and ultra-wideband photoelectric detectors can also realize multi-function and multi-system integration. Therefore, the research and development work on ultra-wideband photoelectric detectors has important practical application value. Here, we produced self-powered suspended Pd-reduced graphene oxide-Ti (Pd-rGO-Ti) photodetectors. We varied the properties of the rGO films by using different annealing temperatures and achieved p-doping and n-doping of the films by evaporating palladium films and titanium films, respectively, thus enabling preparation of photothermoelectric (PTE) photodetectors based on rGO films. The resulting detectors have excellent photoelectric responses over a wideband illumination wavelength range from 375 nm to 118.8 μm (2.52 THz). At the same time, we determined the best experimental conditions and device structure by varying the channel width, the laser spot irradiation position and the experimental atmospheric pressure. The maximum responsivity obtained from our detectors is 142.08 mV W⁻¹, the response time is approximately 100–200 ms and the devices have high detection sensitivity. Based on this work, we assumed in the subsequent experiments that detectors with higher performance can be obtained by reducing the channel width and atmospheric pressure. With advantages that include simple fabrication, low cost, large-scale production potential and ultra-wideband responses, these Pd-rGO-Ti photodetectors have broad application prospects in high-performance integrated optoelectronics.

An ultra-wideband self-powered photodetector based on suspended reduced graphene oxide with asymmetric metal contacts is reported.

PN junction and band to band tunneling in carbon nanotube transistors at room temperature

We demonstrate band to band tunneling (BTBT) in a carbon nanotube (CNT) field effect transistor. We employ local electrostatic doping assisted by charged traps within the oxide to produce an intramolecular PN junction along the CNT. These characteristics apply for both metallic (m-CNTs) and semiconducting (SC-CNTs) CNTs. For m-CNTs we present a hysteretic transfer characteristic which originates from local electrostatic doping in the middle segment of the CNT. This controlled doping is reversible and results in formation and destruction of a PN junction along the CNT channel. For SC-CNTs we observe BTBT, and analysis based on the WKB approximation reveals a very narrow depletion region and high transmission probability at the optimal energy bands overlap. These results may assist in developing a non-volatile one-dimensional PN junction memory cell and designing a tunneling based field effect transistor.

One-Dimensional van der Waals Heterojunction Diode

The synthesis of one-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures was realized recently, which offers alternative possibilities for prospective applications in electronics and optoelectronics. The even reduced dimension will enable different properties and further miniaturization beyond the capabilities of their two-dimensional counterparts. The natural doping results in p-type electrical characteristics for semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes and n-type for molybdenum disulfide with conventional noble metal contacts. Therefore, we demonstrate here a one-dimensional heterostructure nanotube, 11 nm wide, with the coaxial assembly of a semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube, insulating boron nitride nanotube, and semiconducting molybdenum disulfide nanotube, which induces a radial semiconductor-insulator-semiconductor heterojunction. When opposite potential polarity was applied on a semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube and molybdenum disulfide nanotube, respectively, the rectifying effect was materialized.

Origin of n type properties in single wall carbon nanotube films with anionic surfactants investigated by experimental and theoretical analyses

We investigated the origin of n-type thermoelectric properties in single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films with anionic surfactants via experimental analyses and first-principles calculations. Several types of anionic surfactants were employed to fabricate SWCNT films via drop-casting, followed by heat treatment at various temperatures. In particular, SWCNT films with sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) surfactant heated to 350 °C exhibited a longer retention period, wherein the n-type Seebeck coefficient lasted for a maximum of 35 days. In x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, SWCNT films with SDBS surfactant exhibited a larger amount of sodium than oxygen on the SWCNT surface. The electronic band structure and density of states of SWCNTs with oxygen atoms, oxygen molecules, water molecules, sulfur atoms, and sodium atoms were analyzed using first-principles calculations. The calculations showed that sodium atoms and oxygen molecules moved the Fermi level closer to the conduction and valence bands, respectively. The water molecules, oxygen, and sulfur atoms did not affect the Fermi level. Therefore, SWCNT films exhibited n-type thermoelectric properties when the interaction between the sodium atoms and the SWCNTs was larger than that between the oxygen molecules and the SWCNTs.

Production of novel carbon nanostructures by electrochemical reduction of polychlorinated organic rings under mild conditions for supercapacitors

Here, new carbon-based nanostructures were prepared via a one-step electrochemical method using hexagonal and pentagonal polychlorinated organic rings as the carbon source.

Mechanical Characterisation of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Heterojunctions: Numerical Simulation Study

The elastic properties of single-walled carbon nanotube heterojunctions were investigated using conventional tensile, bending and torsion tests. A three-dimensional finite element model was built in order to describe the elastic behaviour of cone heterojunctions (armchair-armchair and zigzag-zigzag). This comprehensive systematic study, to evaluate the tensile, bending and torsional rigidities of heterojunctions, enabled the formulation analytical methods for easy assessment of the elastic properties of heterojunctions using a wide range of their geometrical parameters.

Holey nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel for simultaneously electrochemical determination of ascorbic acid, dopamine and uric acid

In this paper, holey nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel (HNGA) was synthesized and applied to the concurrently electrochemical determination of small biological molecules including ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA). Firstly, holey graphene hydrogel was synthesized by the hydrothermal reaction in the presence of H₂O₂, which subsequently was lyophilized and further annealed in the mixed gas of ammonia and argon to obtain HNGA. Electron microscopy characterization exhibited a great number of nanopores formed on the basal surface of graphene sheets, and HNGA possessed a hierarchically porous structure. The unique structure and composition of HNGA make it an ideal material for electroanalytical application through accelerating mass and electron transfer. HNGA modified glassy carbon electrode (HNGA/GCE) displayed significantly enhanced electrochemical response to AA, DA, and UA, namely reducing overpotential, increasing current density, and improving the reversibility. The oxidation peaks of these three biomolecules can be entirely separated with evident peak potential differences which are 0.216 V (AA-DA), 0.120 V (DA-UA), and 0.336 V (AA-UA), which it allowed the determination of the three substances at the same time. This sensor shows high sensitivity for the determination of AA, DA, and UA with the detection limit of 16.7 μM, 0.22 μM, and 0.12 μM (S/N = 3), respectively. The proposed sensor was applicable for the practical sample analysis as well and desirable recovery was obtained.

Horizontal Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Arrays: Controlled Synthesis, Characterizations, and Applications

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) emerge as a promising material to advance carbon nanoelectronics. However, synthesizing or assembling pure metallic/semiconducting SWNTs required for interconnects/integrated circuits, respectively, by a conventional chemical vapor deposition method or by an assembly technique remains challenging. Recent studies have shown significant scientific breakthroughs in controlled SWNT synthesis/assembly and applications in scaled field effect transistors, which are a critical component in functional nanodevices, thereby rendering the horizontal SWNT array an important candidate for innovating nanotechnology. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the controlled synthesis, surface assembly, characterization techniques, and potential applications of horizontally aligned SWNT arrays. This review begins with the discussion of synthesis of horizontally aligned SWNTs with regulated direction, density, structure, and theoretical models applied to understand the growth results. Several traditional procedures applied for assembling SWNTs on target surface are also briefly discussed. It then discusses the techniques adopted to characterize SWNTs, ranging from electron/probe microscopy to various optical spectroscopy methods. Prototype applications based on the horizontally aligned SWNTs, such as interconnects, field effect transistors, integrated circuits, and even computers, are subsequently described. Finally, this review concludes with challenges and a brief outlook of the future development in this research field.

Flexible thermoelectric films formed using integrated nanocomposites with single-wall carbon nanotubes and Bi2Te3 nanoplates via solvothermal synthesis

Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and Bi₂Te₃ nanoplates are very promising thermoelectric materials for energy harvesting. When these two materials are combined, the resulting nanocomposites exhibit high thermoelectric performance and excellent flexibility. However, simple mixing of these materials is not effective in realizing high performance. Therefore, we fabricated integrated nanocomposites by adding SWCNTs during solvothermal synthesis for the crystallization of Bi₂Te₃ nanoplates and prepared flexible integrated nanocomposite films by drop-casting. The integrated nanocomposite films exhibited high electrical conductivity and an n-type Seebeck coefficient owing to the low contact resistance between the nanoplates and SWCNTs. The maximum power factor was 1.38 μW/(cm K²), which was 23 times higher than that of a simple nanocomposite film formed by mixing SWCNTs during drop-casting, but excluding solvothermal synthesis. Moreover, the integrated nanocomposite films maintained their thermoelectric properties through 500 bending cycles.

An origami electrical biosensor for multiplexed analyte detection in body fluids

We developed an affordable, highly sensitive, and specific paper-based microfluidic platform for fast multiplexed detections of important biomarkers in various body fluids, including urine, saliva, serum, and whole blood. The sensor array consisted of five individual sensing channels with various functionalities that only required a micro liter-sized sample, which was equally split into aliquots by the built-in paper microfluidics. We achieved the individual functionalizations of various bioreceptors by employing the use of wax barriers and 'paper bridges' in an easy and low-cost manner. Pyrene carboxylic acid-modified single-walled carbon nanotubes (PCA/SWNTs) were deposited by quantitative inkjet printing with an optimal 3-dimensional semiconductor density on a paper substrate. Multiple antibodies were immobilized onto the SWNTs surface for highly sensitive and specific field-effect transistor (FET)/chemiresistor (CR) biosensors. We explored the optimal sensing conditions for the paper-based CR biosensor to achieve high sensitivities and specificities towards the target biomarker proteins (human serum albumin (HSA) and human immunoglobulin G (HIgG)) and achieved an ultralow detectable concentration of HSA and HIgG at 1.5 pM. Besides, origami folding was employed to simplify the fabrication process further. The sensing platform described in this work was cost-effective, semi-automated, and user-friendly. It demonstrated the capability of having multiple sensing functions in one paper-based microfluidic sensing platform. It envisioned the potential of a point-of-care device with full-analysis for practical diagnostics in an ASSURED (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid and robust, Equipment-free and Deliverable to end-users) fashion for a quick test of targets of interest.

Directly drawn top-gate semiconducting carbon nanotube thin-film transistors and complementary inverters

As the emerging demand for electronic devices that are simple, cost effective and capable of rapid fabrication has increased, novel fabrication techniques for designing and manufacturing such devices have attracted remarkable research interest. One method for prototyping these electronic devices is to draw them using a handwriting tool that is commonly available. In this work, we demonstrate a transistor and complementary logic inverter that are directly drawn using a brush and that are based on solution-based materials such as semiconducting carbon nanotubes (CNTs), silver ink and paste, and cross-linked poly(4-vinylphenol) (cPVP). The directly drawn CNT thin-film transistor (TFT) has p-type behavior due to the adsorption of oxygen and moisture, a high current on/off ratio (approximately 10³), and a low operating voltage. By employing a solution-based chemical doping treatment with an amine-rich polymer, polyethyleneimine (PEI), that has strong electron-donating ability, the drawn p-type CNT-TFT is successfully converted to an n-type CNT-TFT. Therefore, we fabricate a drawn complementary logic inverter consisting of the p-type CNT-TFT and PEI-treated n-type CNT-TFT and evaluate its electrical performance.

Facile preparation of air-stable n-type thermoelectric single-wall carbon nanotube films with anionic surfactants

Thermoelectric generators based on single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have great potential for use in wearable and skin electronics because of their lightweight and mechanically soft structure. However, the fabrication of air-stable n-type thermoelectric SWCNTs using conventional processes is challenging. Herein, we propose a facile process for fabricating air-stable n-type SWCNT films with anionic surfactants via drop casting followed by heat treatment. We examined different surfactants (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate, Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate, and Sodium Cholate) and heat-treatment temperatures. The optimal SWCNT film maintained the n-type Seebeck coefficient for 35 days. Moreover, to further extend the n-type Seebeck coefficient maintenance, we periodically reheated the SWCNT film with a surfactant that had returned to the p-type Seebeck coefficient. The reheated film recovered the n-type Seebeck coefficient, and the effect of the reheating treatment lasted for several reheating cycles. Finally, we elucidated a simple mechanism for realizing an air-stable n-type Seebeck coefficient based on spectroscopic analyses of the SWCNT films.

p-Type conductivity mechanism and defect structure of nitrogen-doped LiNbO3 from first-principles calculations

The charge-state transition level and geometry structure of non-metallic N-doped LiNbO₃ are calculated by DFT, which reveal the p-type conductivity mechanism of LiNbO₃:N.

Nanoscale Patterning of Carbon Nanotubes: Techniques, Applications, and Future

Carbon nanotube (CNT) devices and electronics are achieving maturity and directly competing or surpassing devices that use conventional materials. CNTs have demonstrated ballistic conduction, minimal scaling effects, high current capacity, low power requirements, and excellent optical/photonic properties; making them the ideal candidate for a new material to replace conventional materials in next-generation electronic and photonic systems. CNTs also demonstrate high stability and flexibility, allowing them to be used in flexible, printable, and/or biocompatible electronics. However, a major challenge to fully commercialize these devices is the scalable placement of CNTs into desired micro/nanopatterns and architectures to translate the superior properties of CNTs into macroscale devices. Precise and high throughput patterning becomes increasingly difficult at nanoscale resolution, but it is essential to fully realize the benefits of CNTs. The relatively long, high aspect ratio structures of CNTs must be preserved to maintain their functionalities, consequently making them more difficult to pattern than conventional materials like metals and polymers. This review comprehensively explores the recent development of innovative CNT patterning techniques with nanoscale lateral resolution. Each technique is critically analyzed and applications for the nanoscale-resolution approaches are demonstrated. Promising techniques and the challenges ahead for future devices and applications are discussed.

New Light on Molecule-Nanotube Hybrids

Optoelectronics benefits from outstanding new nanomaterials that provide emission and detection in the visible and near-infrared range, photoswitches, two level systems for single photon emission, etc. Among these, carbon nanotubes are envisioned as game changers despite difficult handling and control over chirality burdening their use. However, recent breakthroughs on hybrid carbon nanotubes have established nanotubes as pioneers for a new family of building blocks for optics and quantum optics. Functionalization of carbon nanotubes with molecules or polymers not only preserves the nanotube properties from the environment, but also promotes new performance abilities to the resulting hybrids. Photoluminescence and Raman signals are enhanced in the hybrids, which questions the nature of the electronic coupling between nanotube and molecules. Furthermore, coupling to optical cavities dramatically enhances single photon emission, which operates up to room temperature. This new light on nanotube hybrids shows their potential to push optoelectronics a step forward.

Occurrence of excited state charge separation in a N-doped graphene-perylenediimide hybrid formed via 'click' chemistry

Hetero-atom doped graphene is a two-dimensional material with a band gap, needed to build optoelectronic devices. However, research progress in this area has been sluggish due to synthetic challenges to build energy harvesting materials, especially donor-acceptor type hybrids. In the present study, using click chemistry, we have successfully synthesized a donor-acceptor hybrid comprised of N-doped graphene and perylenediimide (PDI), a well-known electron-accepting photosensitizer. The TGA and XPS results revealed the attachment of the PDI moiety in the hybrid. Ground and excited state interactions were monitored by a variety of spectral and electrochemical techniques. Finally, the ability of the present donor-acceptor hybrid to undergo photoinduced charge separation from singlet excited PDI was systematically probed using femtosecond transient spectral techniques. Evidence of charge separation was possible to achieve from comparison of transient and spectroelectrochemical results. These results suggest the potential use of covalently functionalized, substitutional N-doped graphene as a functional material for building optoelectronic devices.

Carbon nanotube fibers with enhanced longitudinal carrier mobility for high-performance all-carbon thermoelectric generators

With the increase in practical interest in flexible thermoelectric (TE) generators, the demand for high-performance alternatives to brittle TE materials is growing. Herein, we have demonstrated wet-spun CNT fibers with high TE performance by systematically controlling the longitudinal carrier mobility without a significant change in the carrier concentration. The carrier mobility optimized by CNT alignment increases the electrical conductivity without decreasing the thermopower, thus improving the power factor. On further adjusting the charge carriers via mild annealing, the CNT fibers exhibit a high power factor of 432 μW m-1 K-2. Based on the excellent TE performance and shape advantages for modular design of the CNT fiber, the all-carbon based flexible TE generator without an additional metal electrode has been fabricated. The flexible TE generator based on 40 pairs of p- and n-type CNT fibers shows the maximum power density of 15.4 and 259 μW g-1 at temperature differences (ΔT) of 5 and 20 K, respectively, currently one of the highest values reported for TE generators based on flexible materials. The strategy proposed here can improve the performance of flexible TE fibers by optimizing the carrier mobility without a change in the carrier concentration, and shows great potential for flexible TE generators.

Spectral Sensitization of n- and p-Type Gallium Phosphide Single Crystals with Single-Walled Semiconducting Carbon Nanotubes

The spectral sensitization of single-crystal p-GaP by semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNT) via hole injection into the p-GaP valence band is reported. The results are compared to SWNCT sensitized n-type single-crystal substrates: TiO₂, SnO₂, and n-GaP. It was found that the sensitized photocurrents from CoMoCAT and HiPco s-SWCNTs were from a hole injection mechanism on all substrates, even when electron injection into the conduction band should be energetically favored. The results suggest an intrinsic p-type character of the s-SWCNTs surface films investigated in this work.

Doping engineering of thermoelectric transport in BNC heteronanotubes

BNC heteronanotubes are promising materials for the design of nanoscale thermoelectric devices. In particular, the structural BN doping pattern can be exploited to control the electrical and thermal transport properties of BNC nanostructures. We here address the thermoelectric transport properties of (6,6)-BNC heteronanotubes with helical and horizontal BN doping patterns. For this, we use a density functional tight-binding method combined with the Green's function technique. Our results show that the electron transmission is reduced and the electronic bandgap increased as a function of the BN concentration for different doping distribution patterns, so that (6,6)-BNC heteronanotubes become semiconducting with a tunable bandgap. The thermal conductance of helical (6,6)-BNC heteronanotubes, which is dominated by phonons, is weakly dependent on BN concentration in the range of 30-80%. Also, the Seebeck coefficient is enhanced by increasing the concentration of helical BN strips. In particular, helical (6,6)-BNC heteronanotubes with a high BN concentration (>20%) display a larger figure of merit compared to other doping distributions and, for a concentration of 50%, reach values up to 2.3 times and 3.4 times the corresponding values of a CNT at 300 K and 800 K, respectively. Our study yields new insights into the parameters tuning the thermoelectric efficiency and thus provides a starting point for designing thermoelectric devices based on BNC nanostructures.

Carbon Nanotube Chemical Sensors

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) promise to advance a number of real-world technologies. Of these applications, they are particularly attractive for uses in chemical sensors for environmental and health monitoring. However, chemical sensors based on CNTs are often lacking in selectivity, and the elucidation of their sensing mechanisms remains challenging. This review is a comprehensive description of the parameters that give rise to the sensing capabilities of CNT-based sensors and the application of CNT-based devices in chemical sensing. This review begins with the discussion of the sensing mechanisms in CNT-based devices, the chemical methods of CNT functionalization, architectures of sensors, performance parameters, and theoretical models used to describe CNT sensors. It then discusses the expansive applications of CNT-based sensors to multiple areas including environmental monitoring, food and agriculture applications, biological sensors, and national security. The discussion of each analyte focuses on the strategies used to impart selectivity and the molecular interactions between the selector and the analyte. Finally, the review concludes with a brief outlook over future developments in the field of chemical sensors and their prospects for commercialization.

Catalyst-Free In Situ Carbon Nanotube Growth in Confined Space via High Temperature Gradient

Carbonaceous materials, such as graphite, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene, are in high demand for a broad range of applications, including batteries, capacitors, and composite materials. Studies on the transformation between different types of carbon, especially from abundant and low-cost carbon to high-end carbon allotropes, have received surging interest. Here, we report that, without a catalyst or an external carbon source, biomass-derived amorphous carbon and defective reduced graphene oxide (RGO) can be quickly transformed into CNTs in highly confined spaces by high temperature Joule heating. Combined with experimental measurements and molecular dynamics simulations, we propose that Joule heating induces a high local temperature at defect sites due to the corresponding high local resistance. The resultant temperature gradient in amorphous carbon or RGO drives the migration of carbon atoms and promotes the growth of CNTs without using a catalyst or external carbon source. Our findings on the growth of CNTs in confined spaces by fast high temperature Joule heating shed light on the controlled transition between different carbon allotropes, which can be extended to the growth of other high aspect ratio nanomaterials.

Advances on Sensors Based on Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes have been attracting considerable interest among material scientists, physicists, chemists, and engineers for almost 30 years. Owing to their high aspect ratio, coupled with remarkable mechanical, electronic, and thermal properties, carbon nanotubes have found application in diverse fields. In this review, we will cover the work on carbon nanotubes used for sensing applications. In particular, we will see examples where carbon nanotubes act as main players in devices sensing biomolecules, gas, light or pressure changes. Furthermore, we will discuss how to improve the performance of carbon nanotube-based sensors after proper modification.

N-Doped graphene/C60 covalent hybrid as a new material for energy harvesting applications

N-Doped graphene (N-G) was chemically functionalized by N-alkylation with the well-known electron acceptor C60. The degree of functionalization and the key structural features of the N-G/C60 hybrid were systematically investigated by a number of techniques including thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopies and transmission electron and atomic force microscopies. Absorption and electrochemical studies revealed interactions between the N-G and C60 while the fluorescence of C60 within the hybrid was found to be fully quenched. Evidence for the occurrence of excited state charge transfer from the singlet excited C60 to N-G in the hybrid was obtained from femtosecond transient absorption studies covering the visible-near-IR regions. Electron-pooling experiments performed in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor and a second electron acceptor, methyl viologen, revealed the accumulation of the one-electron reduced product of methyl viologen upon continuous irradiation of the N-G/C60 nanohybrid, thus revealing the utility of this material in photocatalytic energy harvesting applications.

Solution-Based Property Tuning of Black Phosphorus

The air instability of black phosphorus (BP) severely hinders the development of its electronic and optoelectronic applications. Although a lot of effort has been made to passivate it against degradation in ambient conditions, approaches to further manipulate the properties of passivated BP are still very limited. Herein, we report a simple and low-cost chemical method that can achieve BP passivation and property tailoring simultaneously. The method is conducted by immersing a BP sample in the solution containing both 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl- N-oxyl (TEMPO) and triphenylcarbenium tetrafluorobor in a mixture of water and acetone (v/v = 1:1). After the treatment, the BP sample is functionalized with TEMPO, which not only efficiently passivates BP but also p-dopes BP to a degenerated density level of 10¹³ cm^-2. The performance of the BP field effect transistor is improved after functionalization with a high I_on/ I_off ratio of 10⁶ and carrier mobility of 881.5 cm²/(V·s). The functionalization-induced doping also significantly reduces the contact resistance between BP and the Cr/Au electrode to 0.97 kΩ·μm. Additionally, we observe a great reduction of BP electrical and optical anisotropies after functionalization. This chemical functionalization method provides a viable route to simultaneously passivate and tune the properties of BP.

Overwhelming coexistence of negative differential resistance effect and RRAM

An electronic cell that possesses synchronously multi-physical properties is of great importance in the applications of multifunctional electronic devices. In this study, an overwhelming coexistence of negative differential resistance (NDR) effect and resistive switching (RS) memory behavior at room temperature was observed based on Ag/Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe)/Mo devices. The long retention time of ∼104 s and high HRS/LRS resistance ratio of ∼215 can be achieved, indicating that our devices possess excellent resistance random access memory (RRAM). Moreover, strong NDR behavior was observed at room temperature, which provides a great potential application in advanced electronic devices. Finally, the combined physical model of conductive filament and Schottky barrier reinstallment is demonstrated to explain the coexistence phenomenon. Thus, in this, study we propose a new strategy for preparing a multifunctional electronic device with multiple physical attributes in the future.

Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenides as Light Sources

Reducing the dimensions of materials is one of the key approaches to discovering novel optical phenomena. The recent emergence of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) has provided a promising platform for exploring new optoelectronic device applications, with their tunable electronic properties, structural controllability, and unique spin valley-coupled systems. This progress report provides an overview of recent advances in TMDC-based light-emitting devices discussed from several aspects in terms of device concepts, material designs, device fabrication, and their diverse functionalities. First, the advantages of TMDCs used in light-emitting devices and their possible functionalities are presented. Second, conventional approaches for fabricating TMDC light-emitting devices are emphasized, followed by introducing a newly established, versatile method for generating light emission in TMDCs. Third, current growing technologies for heterostructure fabrication, in which distinct TMDCs are vertically stacked or laterally stitched, are explained as a possible means for designing high-performance light-emitting devices. Finally, utilizing the topological features of TMDCs, the challenges for controlling circularly polarized light emission and its device applications are discussed from both theoretical and experimental points of view.

Plasmons in N-doped graphene nanostructures tuned by Au/Ag films: a time-dependent density functional theory study

The energy resonance point of the prominent peak of the absorption spectrum of nitrogen-doped graphene is in the ultraviolet region. This limits its application as a co-catalyst in renewable hydrogen evolution through photocatalytic water splitting in the visible light region. It is well known that noble metal films show active absorption in the visible region due to the existence of the unique feature known as surface plasmon resonance. Here we report tunable plasmons in nitrogen-doped graphene nanostructures using noble metal (Au/Ag) films. The energy resonance point of the prominent peak of the composite nanostructure is altered by changing the separation space of two-layered nanostructures. We found the strength of the absorption spectrum of the composite nanostructure is much stronger than the isolated N-doped graphene monolayer. When the separation space is decreased, the prominent peak of the absorption spectrum is red-shifted to the visible light region. Moreover, currents of several microamperes exist above the surface of the N-doped graphene and Au film composite nanostructure. In addition, the field enhancement exceeds 1000 when an impulse excitation polarized in the armchair-edge direction (X-axis) when the separation space is decreased to 3 Å and is close to 100 when an impulse excitation polarized in the zigzag-edge direction (Y-axis). The N-doped graphene and noble metal film composite nanostructure is a good candidate material as a co-catalyst in renewable hydrogen production by photocatalytic water splitting in the visible light region.

Aligned N-doped carbon nanotube bundles with interconnected hierarchical structure as an efficient bi-functional oxygen electrocatalyst

The fabrication of cost effective and efficient electrocatalysts with functional building blocks to replace noble metal ones is of great importance for energy related applications yet remains a great challenge. Herein, we report the fabrication of a hierarchical structure containing CNTs/graphene/transition-metal hybrids (h-NCNTs/Gr/TM) with excellent bifunctional oxygen electrocatalytic activity. The synthesis was rationally designed by the growth of shorter nitrogen-doped CNTs (S-NCNTs) on longer NCNTs arrays (L-NCNTs), while graphene layers were in situ generated at their interconnecting sites. The hybrid material shows excellent OER and ORR performance, and was also demonstrated to be a highly active bifunctional catalyst for Zn–air batteries, which could be due to rapid electron transport and full exposure of active sites in the hierarchical structure.

A hierarchical structure containing aligned CNTs/graphene/transition-metal was fabricated and worked as a highly active bifunctional catalyst for Zn–air batteries.

A New Facile Synthesis of Tungsten Oxide from Tungsten Disulfide: Structure Dependent Supercapacitor and Negative Differential Resistance Properties

Tungsten oxide (WO₃ ) is an emerging 2D nanomaterial possessing unique physicochemical properties extending a wide spectrum of novel applications which are limited due to lack of efficient synthesis of high-quality WO₃ . Here, a facile new synthetic method of forming WO₃ from tungsten sulfide, WS₂ is reported. Spectroscopic, microscopic, and X-ray studies indicate formation of flower like aggregated nanosized WO₃ plates of highly crystalline cubic phase via intermediate orthorhombic tungstite, WO_3. H₂ O phase. The charge storage ability of WO₃ is extremely high (508 F g^-1 at current density of 1 A g^-1 ) at negative potential range compared to tungstite (194 F g^-1 at 1 A g^-1 ). Moreover, high (97%) capacity retention after 1000 cycles and capacitive charge storage nature of WO₃ electrode suggest its supremacy as a negative electrode of supercapacitors. The asymmetric supercapacitor, based on the WO₃ as a negative electrode and mildly reduced graphene oxide as a positive electrode, manifests high energy density of 218.3 mWhm^-2 at power density 1750 mWm^-2 , and exceptionally high power density, 17 500 mW m^-2 , with energy density of 121.5 mWh m^-2 . Furthermore, the negative differential resistance (NDR) property of both WO₃ and WO₃ .H₂ O are reported for the first time and NDR is explained with density of state approach.

A nitrogen-doped graphene cathode for high-capacitance aluminum-ion hybrid supercapacitors

A long-life and high-capacitance (254 F g⁻¹) pseudocapacitive nitrogen-doped graphene cathode was employed in aluminum-ion hybrid supercapacitors.