We describe monocrystalline graphitic films, which are a few atoms thick but are nonetheless stable under ambient conditions, metallic, and of remarkably high quality. The films are found to be a two-dimensional semimetal with a tiny overlap between valence and conductance bands, and they exhibit a strong ambipolar electric field effect such that electrons and holes in concentrations up to 10 13 per square centimeter and with room-temperature mobilities of ∼10,000 square centimeters per volt-second can be induced by applying gate voltage.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/306/5696/666.full.pdf

Electric Field Effect in Atomically Thin Carbon Films

We describe a simple process for the fabrication of ultrathin, transparent, optically homogeneous, electrically conducting films of pure single-walled carbon nanotubes and the transfer of those films to various substrates. For equivalent sheet resistance, the films exhibit optical transmittance comparable to that of commercial indium tin oxide in the visible spectrum, but far superior transmittance in the technologically relevant 2- to 5-micrometer infrared spectral band. These characteristics indicate broad applicability of the films for electrical coupling in photonic devices. In an example application, the films are used to construct an electric field-activated optical modulator, which constitutes an optical analog to the nanotube-based field effect transistor.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/305/5688/1273.full.pdf

Transparent, Conductive Carbon Nanotube Films

We demonstrate logic circuits with field-effect transistors based on single carbon nanotubes. Our device layout features local gates that provide excellent capacitive coupling between the gate and nanotube, enabling strong electrostatic doping of the nanotube from p-doping to n-doping and the study of the nonconventional long-range screening of charge along the one-dimensional nanotubes. The transistors show favorable device characteristics such as high gain (>10), a large on-off ratio (>10(5)), and room-temperature operation. Importantly, the local-gate layout allows for integration of multiple devices on a single chip. Indeed, we demonstrate one-, two-, and three-transistor circuits that exhibit a range of digital logic operations, such as an inverter, a logic NOR, a static random-access memory cell, and an ac ring oscillator.

/pdf/logic-circuits-with-carbon-nanotube-transistors-vw5igdkjzb.pdf

Logic circuits with carbon nanotube transistors

Novel nanomaterials for bioassay applications represent a rapidly progressing field of nanotechnology and nanobiotechnology. Here, we present an exploration of single-walled carbon nanotubes as a platform for investigating surface-protein and protein-protein binding and developing highly specific electronic biomolecule detectors. Nonspecific binding on nanotubes, a phenomenon found with a wide range of proteins, is overcome by immobilization of polyethylene oxide chains. A general approach is then advanced to enable the selective recognition and binding of target proteins by conjugation of their specific receptors to polyethylene oxide-functionalized nanotubes. This scheme, combined with the sensitivity of nanotube electronic devices, enables highly specific electronic sensors for detecting clinically important biomolecules such as antibodies associated with human autoimmune diseases.

/pdf/noncovalent-functionalization-of-carbon-nanotubes-for-highly-2txir0uxof.pdf

Noncovalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes for highly specific electronic biosensors

In this Account we highlight the experimental evidence in favor of our view that carbon nanotubes should be considered as a new macromolecular form of carbon with unique properties and with great potential for practical applications. We show that carbon nanotubes may take on properties that are normally associated with molecular species, such as solubility in organic solvents, solution-based chemical transformations, chromatography, and spectroscopy. It is already clear that the nascent field of nanotube chemistry will rival that of the fullerenes.

Chemistry of single-walled carbon nanotubes.

We explore the electric-field effect of carbon nanotubes (NTs) in electrolytes. Due to the large gate capacitance, Fermi energy (EF) shifts of order ±1 V can be induced, enabling to tune NTs from p to n-type. Consequently, large resistance changes are measured. At zero gate voltage, the NTs are hole-doped in air with |EF|≈0.3–0.5 eV, corresponding to a doping level of ≈1013 cm−2. Hole-doping increases in the electrolyte.

Electrochemical carbon nanotube field-effect transistor

The Kondo effect and superconductivity are both prime examples of many-body phenomena. Here we report transport measurements on a carbon nanotube quantum dot coupled to superconducting leads that show a delicate interplay between both effects. We demonstrate that the superconductivity of the leads does not destroy the Kondo correlations on the quantum dot when the Kondo temperature, which varies for different single-electron states, exceeds the superconducting gap energy.

Quantum dot in the Kondo regime coupled to superconductors.

We explore the electric-field effect of carbon nanotubes (NTs) in electrolytes. Due to the large gate capacitance, Fermi energy shifts of order +/- 1 V can be induced, enabling to tune NTs from p to n-type. Consequently, large resistance changes are measured. At zero gate voltage the NTs are hole doped in air with E_F ? 0.3-0.5 eV, corresponding to a doping level of ? 10^{13} cm^{-2}. Hole-doping increases in the electrolyte. This hole doping (oxidation) is most likely caused by the adsorption of oxygen in air and cations in the electrolyte.

The Electrochemical Carbon Nanotube Field-Effect Transistor

We have measured the differential conductance of individual multiwall carbon nanotubes. Coulomb blockade and energy level quantization are observed. The electron levels are nearly fourfold degenerate (including spin) and their evolution in magnetic field (Zeeman splitting) agrees with a g factor of 2. In zero magnetic field the sequential filling of states evolves with spin S according to S = 0-->1/2-->0.... A Kondo enhancement of the conductance is observed when the number of electrons on the tube is odd.

Multiwall carbon nanotubes as quantum dots.

We have studied tunneling of electrons into multiwall carbon nanotubes (NTs) in NT-gold and NT-NT junctions, the latter created by atomic force microscope manipulation. The tunneling conductance goes to zero as the energy (temperature and bias) is reduced, and the functional form is consistent with a power law. The exponents depend upon sample geometry. The relationship between these results and theories for tunneling into ballistic and disordered metals is discussed.

/pdf/suppression-of-tunneling-into-multiwall-carbon-nanotubes-2ghstn10j3.pdf

M. R. Buitelaar

Papers

Electrochemical carbon nanotube field-effect transistor

Quantum dot in the Kondo regime coupled to superconductors.

The Electrochemical Carbon Nanotube Field-Effect Transistor

Multiwall carbon nanotubes as quantum dots.

Suppression of Tunneling into Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes