The effect of rod orientation on electrical anisotropy in silver nanowire networks for ultra-transparent electrodes.

Two-dimensional networks made of metal nanowires are excellent paradigms for the experimental observation of electrical percolation caused by continuous jackstraw-like physical pathways. Such systems became very interesting as alternative material in transparent electrodes, which are fundamental components in display devices. This work presents the experimental characterization of low-haze and ultra-transparent electrodes based on silver nanowires. The films are created by dip-coating, a feasible and scalable liquid film coating technique. We have found dominant alignment of the silver nanowires in withdrawal direction. The impact of this structural anisotropy on electrical anisotropy becomes more pronounced for low area coverage. The rod alignment does not influence the technical usability of the films as significant electrical anisotropy occurs only at optical transmission higher than 99 %. For films with lower transmission, electrical anisotropy becomes negligible. In addition to the experimental work, we have carried out computational studies in order to explain our findings further and compare them to our experiments and previous literature. This paper presents the first experimental observation of electrical anisotropy in two-dimensional silver nanowire networks close at the percolation threshold.

Surface Modulation of Graphene Field Effect Transistors on Periodic Trench Structure.

In this work, graphene field effect transistors (FETs) were fabricated on a trench structure made by carbonized poly(methylmethacrylate) to modify the graphene surface. The trench-structured devices showed different characteristics depending on the channel orientation and the pitch size of the trenches as well as channel area in the FETs. Periodic corrugations and barriers of suspended graphene on the trench structure were measured by atomic force microscopy and electrostatic force microscopy. Regular barriers of 160 mV were observed for the trench structure with graphene. To confirm the transfer mechanism in the FETs depending on the channel orientation, the ratio of experimental mobility (3.6-3.74) was extracted from the current-voltage characteristics using equivalent circuit simulation. It is shown that the number of barriers increases as the pitch size decreases because the number of corrugations increases from different trench pitches. The noise for the 140 nm pitch trench is 1 order of magnitude higher than that for the 200 nm pitch trench.

Woven-Yarn Thermoelectric Textiles.

The fabrication and characterization of highly flexible textiles are reported. These textiles can harvest thermal energy from temperature gradients in the desirable through-thickness direction. The tiger yarns containing n- and p-type segments are woven to provide textiles containing n-p junctions. A high power output of up to 8.6 W m(-2) is obtained for a temperature difference of 200 °C.

UV-CD12: synchrotron radiation circular dichroism beamline at ANKA.

Synchrotron radiation circular dichroism (SRCD) is a rapidly growing technique for structure analysis of proteins and other chiral biomaterials. UV-CD12 is a high-flux SRCD beamline installed at the ANKA synchrotron, to which it had been transferred after the closure of the SRS Daresbury. The beamline covers an extended vacuum-UV to near-UV spectral range and has been open for users since October 2011. The current end-station allows for temperature-controlled steady-state SRCD spectroscopy, including routine automated thermal scans of microlitre volumes of water-soluble proteins down to 170 nm. It offers an excellent signal-to-noise ratio over the whole accessible spectral range. The technique of oriented circular dichroism (OCD) was recently implemented for determining the membrane alignment of α-helical peptides and proteins in macroscopically oriented lipid bilayers as mimics of cellular membranes. It offers improved spectral quality <200 nm compared with an OCD setup adapted to a bench-top instrument, and accelerated data collection by a factor of ∼3. In addition, it permits investigations of low hydrated protein films down to 130 nm using a rotatable sample cell that avoids linear dichroism artifacts.

Modification of electrical properties of graphene by substrate-induced nanomodulation.

A periodically modulated graphene (PMG) generated by nanopatterned surfaces is reported to profoundly modify the intrinsic electronic properties of graphene. The temperature dependence of the sheet resistivity and gate response measurements clearly show a semiconductor-like behavior. Raman spectroscopy reveals significant shifts of the G and the 2D modes induced by the interaction with the underlying grid-like nanostructure. The influence of the periodic, alternating contact with the substrate surface was studied in terms of strain caused by bending of graphene and doping through chemical interactions with underlying substrate atoms. Electronic structure calculations performed on a model of PMG reveals that it is possible to tune a band gap within 0.14-0.19 eV by considering both the periodic mechanical bending and the surface coordination chemistry. Therefore, the PMG can be regarded as a further step toward band gap engineering of graphene devices.

Flexible, transparent electrodes using carbon nanotubes.

We prepare thin single-walled carbon nanotube networks on a transparent and flexible substrate with different densities, using a very simple spray method. We measure the electric impedance at different frequencies Z(f) in the frequency range of 40 Hz to 20 GHz using two different methods: a two-probe method in the range up to 110 MHz and a coaxial (Corbino) method in the range of 10 MHz to 20 GHz. We measure the optical absorption and electrical conductivity in order to optimize the conditions for obtaining optimum performance films with both high electrical conductivity and transparency. We observe a square resistance of 1 to 8.5 kΩ for samples showing 65% to 85% optical transmittance, respectively. For some applications, we need flexibility and not transparency: for this purpose, we deposit a thick film of single-walled carbon nanotubes on a flexible silicone substrate by spray method from an aqueous suspension of carbon nanotubes in a surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulphate), thereby obtaining a flexible conducting electrode showing an electrical resistance as low as 200 Ω/sq. When stretching up to 10% and 20%, the electrical resistance increases slightly, recovering the initial value for small elongations up to 10%. We analyze the stretched and unstretched samples by Raman spectroscopy and observe that the breathing mode on the Raman spectra is highly sensitive to stretching. The high-energy Raman modes do not change, which indicates that no defects are introduced when stretching. Using this method, flexible conducting films that may be transparent are obtained just by employing a very simple spray method and can be deposited on any type or shape of surface.

Accurate measurement of electron beam induced displacement cross sections for single-layer graphene.

We present an accurate measurement and a quantitative analysis of electron-beam-induced displacements of carbon atoms in single-layer graphene. We directly measure the atomic displacement ("knock-on") cross section by counting the lost atoms as a function of the electron-beam energy and applied dose. Further, we separate knock-on damage (originating from the collision of the beam electrons with the nucleus of the target atom) from other radiation damage mechanisms (e.g., ionization damage or chemical etching) by the comparison of ordinary (12C) and heavy (13C) graphene. Our analysis shows that a static lattice approximation is not sufficient to describe knock-on damage in this material, while a very good agreement between calculated and experimental cross sections is obtained if lattice vibrations are taken into account.

Multilayered carbon nanotube/polymer composite based thermoelectric fabrics.

Thermoelectrics are materials capable of the solid-state conversion between thermal and electrical energy. Carbon nanotube/polymer composite thin films are known to exhibit thermoelectric effects, however, have a low figure of merit (ZT) of 0.02. In this work, we demonstrate individual composite films of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) that are layered into multiple element modules that resemble a felt fabric. The thermoelectric voltage generated by these fabrics is the sum of contributions from each layer, resulting in increased power output. Since these fabrics have the potential to be cheaper, lighter, and more easily processed than the commonly used thermoelectric bismuth telluride, the overall performance of the fabric shows promise as a realistic alternative in a number of applications such as portable lightweight electronics.

Experimental analysis of charge redistribution due to chemical bonding by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.

The electronic charge density distribution or the electrostatic atomic potential of a solid or molecule contains information not only on the atomic structure, but also on the electronic properties, such as the nature of the chemical bonds or the degree of ionization of atoms. However, the redistribution of charge due to chemical bonding is small compared with the total charge density, and therefore difficult to measure. Here, we demonstrate an experimental analysis of charge redistribution due to chemical bonding by means of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). We analyse charge transfer on the single-atom level for nitrogen-substitution point defects in graphene, and confirm the ionicity of single-layer hexagonal boron nitride. Our combination of HRTEM experiments and first-principles electronic structure calculations opens a new way to investigate electronic configurations of point defects, other non-periodic arrangements or nanoscale objects that cannot be studied by an electron or X-ray diffraction analysis.

A molecular quantized charge pump.

A novel single electron pump based on individual molecules (a single wall carbon nanotube) is discussed in terms of the hybrid superconducting-normal conducting pumping principle. A concept demonstration device has been built based on a carbon nanotube contacted by Nb-Ti leads. Charge current quantization is achieved through rf modulation of the back gate voltage. The device is able to transfer a given number of electrons per pumping cycle. Single electron pumping is achieved for pumping frequencies up to 80 MHz.

Nanocarbonic transparent conductive films.

This tutorial review discusses the contradictory material properties of electrical conductivity and optical transparency for the examples of graphene films and carbon nanotube networks. It is argued that for homogeneous films both properties are linked by basic laws of physics and that for perfect monoatomic layers conductivity and transparency can be calculated from the fine structure constant. To beat these limitations, inhomogeneous films are required, such as graphene with an array of holes or nanotube networks. An overview is given on literature values of transparency and conductivity, both for graphene films and for nanotube networks.

Improved field emission stability of thin multiwalled carbon nanotube emitters.

The improved field emission stability of thin multiwalled carbon nanotube (thin-MWCNT) emitters using a tip sonication process has been investigated. The thin-MWCNTs showed short lengths and many open tips after the tip sonication treatment. The field emission properties of the thin-MWCNT emitters were investigated. Field emission stability dramatically increased as the tip sonication time increased. In particular, field emission current at an acceleration condition was quite stable and showed no degradation for over 19 h after tip sonication treatment of 30 min. Tip sonication could effectively cut CNTs short and regulate the length of CNTs. Therefore, field emission stability was significantly improved during a long period of operation because many shortened thin-MWCNTs could participate in field emission after the treatment.

Kohn anomaly and electron-phonon interaction at the K-derived point of the brillouin zone of metallic nanotubes.

We applied Raman spectroscopy to investigate the response to electrochemical doping of the second-order D* band in single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) bundles. Our study reveals a dramatic increase of the D* band sensitivity to doping upon moving the laser excitation to the red end of the visible spectrum and beyond. Using the double-resonance scattering model, we show that this phenomenon evidences a second Kohn anomaly in metallic SWNTs, located in the K-point-derived region of the Brillouin zone (BZ), which stems from the Kohn anomaly at the K-point of graphene. Our results will be compared to recent doping experiments on graphene with field-effect gating and can be used to investigate the wave-vector dependent electron-phonon coupling in the bulk of the BZ of metallic SWNTs.

Structure analysis of the membrane protein TatC(d) from the Tat system of B. subtilis by circular dichroism.

The twin arginine translocation (Tat) system can transport fully folded proteins, including their cofactors, across bacterial and thylakoid membranes. The Tat system of Bacillus subtilis that serves to export the phosphodiesterase (PhoD) consists of only two membrane proteins, TatA(d) and TatC(d). The larger component TatC(d) has a molecular weight of 28 kDa and several membrane-spanning segments. This protein has been expressed in Escherichia coli and purified in sufficient amounts for structure analysis by circular dichroism (CD) and NMR spectroscopy. TatC(d) was reconstituted in detergent micelles and in lipid bilayers for CD analysis in solution and in macroscopically oriented samples, to examine the stability of the protein. Suitable protocols and model membrane systems have been established, by which TatC(d) maintains the level of helicity close to theoretically predicted, and its transmembrane alignment could been verified.

Field emission characteristics of point emitters fabricated by a multiwalled carbon nanotube yarn.

We fabricated point emitters using a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) yarn which was treated by ethylene glycol. The point emitter showed a very high emission current of 3.01 mA (current density of 1.1 x 10(8) A cm(-2)) and good emission stability of over 20 h. We attributed the excellent field emission properties to a large field enhancement factor caused by the large aspect ratio of the sharp tip of the point emitter and the tight bonding of neighboring MWCNTs due to the ethylene glycol treatment. We investigated the field enhancement factor according to the gap between the anode and the emitter tip at a macroscopic gap regime. The measured field enhancement factor of the MWCNT point emitter was in good agreement with theoretical models.

Atomic-resolution three-dimensional force and damping maps of carbon nanotube peapods.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has become a versatile and powerful method for imaging both insulating and conducting objects down to the atomic scale. By extending the high spatial resolution and sensitivity of AFM to the force spectroscopy dimension, oscillations of individual molecules can be studied with atomic resolution. Using three-dimensional mapping of the force and damping fields we address individual Dy@C(82) metallofullerene molecules confined inside single-walled carbon nanotubes (so-called metallofullerene peapods) and reveal their oscillatory behaviour via attractive interactions with the AFM probe tip. The damping energy DeltaE signals, generated in very close proximity of the tip and nanotube peapod, show a close relationship with hysteresis in the short-range forces, thereby indicating that a soft vibrational (phonon) mode is site-specifically (i.e., atom-by-atom) induced by the AFM tip.

Electron transport behavior of individual zinc oxide coated single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Uniform zinc oxide coated single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) were fabricated by ultrasonic irradiation with acid-treated SWNTs, zinc acetate, and triethanolamine at low temperature in aqueous phase processing. The ZnO coating process did not decrease the dark current of the SWNTs, but a real decrease in the steady state negative photocurrent was observed after ZnO coating, suggesting a clear photosensitization effect. Transport measurements reveal that the negative photocurrent in s (semiconducting)-SWNTs@ZnO could be described by electron-hole compensation behavior attributed to the ZnO layer under ultraviolet excitation. This simple coating method for one-dimensional material can open up new possibilities for multifunctional nanodevices.

Effects of charge impurities and laser energy on Raman spectra of graphene.

The position and width of the Raman G-line was analyzed for unintentionally doped single-layered graphene samples. Results indicate a significant heating of the monolayer by the laser beam. Moreover, a weak additional component was resolved in the G-band. The position of the line is independent of the level of doping of the sample. We conclude that this new component is due to the phonons coupled to the intraband electronic transitions.

Atomically resolved mechanical response of individual metallofullerene molecules confined inside carbon nanotubes.

The hollow core inside a carbon nanotube can be used to confine single molecules and it is now possible to image the movement of such molecules inside nanotubes. To date, however, it has not been possible to control this motion, nor to detect the forces moving the molecules, despite experimental and theoretical evidence suggesting that almost friction-free motion might be possible inside the nanotubes. Here, we report on precise measurements of the mechanical responses of individual metallofullerene molecules (Dy@C82) confined inside single-walled carbon nanotubes to the atom at the tip of an atomic force microscope operated in dynamic mode. Using three-dimensional force mapping with atomic resolution, we addressed the molecules from the exterior of the nanotube and measured their elastic and inelastic behaviour by simultaneously detecting the attractive forces and energy losses with three-dimensional, atomic-scale resolution.