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Showing papers by "Yi Cui published in 2004"


Journal ArticleDOI
08 Jul 2004-Nature
TL;DR: A general approach for fabricating inorganically coupled colloidal quantum dots and rods, connected epitaxially at branched and linear junctions within single nanocrystal heterostructures, which allows investigation of potential applications ranging from quantum information processing to artificial photosynthesis.
Abstract: The development of colloidal quantum dots has led to practical applications of quantum confinement, such as in solution-processed solar cells1, lasers2 and as biological labels3. Further scientific and technological advances should be achievable if these colloidal quantum systems could be electronically coupled in a general way. For example, this was the case when it became possible to couple solid-state embedded quantum dots into quantum dot molecules4,5. Similarly, the preparation of nanowires with linear alternating compositions—another form of coupled quantum dots—has led to the rapid development of single-nanowire light-emitting diodes6 and single-electron transistors7. Current strategies to connect colloidal quantum dots use organic coupling agents8,9, which suffer from limited control over coupling parameters and over the geometry and complexity of assemblies. Here we demonstrate a general approach for fabricating inorganically coupled colloidal quantum dots and rods, connected epitaxially at branched and linear junctions within single nanocrystals. We achieve control over branching and composition throughout the growth of nanocrystal heterostructures to independently tune the properties of each component and the nature of their interactions. Distinct dots and rods are coupled through potential barriers of tuneable height and width, and arranged in three-dimensional space at well-defined angles and distances. Such control allows investigation of potential applications ranging from quantum information processing to artificial photosynthesis.

1,149 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Yue Wu1, Yi Cui1, Lynn Huynh1, Carl J. Barrelet1, David C. Bell1, Charles M. Lieber1 
TL;DR: In this article, single-crystal silicon nanowires with diameters approaching molecular dimensions were synthesized using gold nanocluster-catalyzed 1D growth using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy studies.
Abstract: Single-crystal silicon nanowires with diameters approaching molecular dimensions were synthesized using gold nanocluster-catalyzed 1D growth. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy studies show that silicon nanowires grown with silane reactant in hydrogen are single crystal with little or no visible amorphous oxide down to diameters as small as 3 nm. Structural characterization of a large number of samples shows that the smallest-diameter nanowires grow primarily along the 〈110〉 direction, whereas larger nanowires grow along the 〈111〉 direction. In addition, cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy was used to address the importance of surface energetics in determining the growth direction of the smallest nanowires. The ability to prepare well-defined molecular-scale single-crystal silicon nanowires opens up new opportunities for both fundamental studies and nanodevice applications.

952 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a facile method for reproducibly fabricating large-scale device arrays, suitable for nanoelectronics or nanophotonics, that incorporate a controlled number of sub-50-nm-diameter nanocrystals at lithographically defined precise locations on a chip and within a circuit is presented.
Abstract: We report a facile method for reproducibly fabricating large-scale device arrays, suitable for nanoelectronics or nanophotonics, that incorporate a controlled number of sub-50-nm-diameter nanocrystals at lithographically defined precise locations on a chip and within a circuit. The interfacial capillary force present during the evaporation of a nanocrystal suspension forms the basis of the assembly mechnism. Our results demonstrate for the first time that macromolecule size particles down to 2-nm diameter and complex nanostructures such as nanotetrapods can be effectively organized by the capillary interaction. This approach integrates the merits of bottom-up solution-processed nanostructures with top-down lithographically prepared devices and has the potential to be scaled up to wafer size for a large number of functional nanoelectronics and nanophotonics applications.

545 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed a fluidic assembly method that relies on the local pinning of a moving liquid contact line by lithographically produced topographic features to concentrate nanoparticles at those features.
Abstract: The combination of lithography and self-assembly provides a powerful means of organizing solution-synthesized nanostructures for a wide variety of applications. We have developed a fluidic assembly method that relies on the local pinning of a moving liquid contact line by lithographically produced topographic features to concentrate nanoparticles at those features. The final stages of the assembly process are controlled first by long-range immersion capillary forces and then by the short-range electrostatic and Van der Waal's interactions. We have successfully assembled nanoparticles from 50 nm to 2 nm in size using this technique and have also demonstrated the controlled positioning of more complex nanotetrapod structures. We have used this process to assemble Au nanoparticles into pre-patterned electrode structures and have performed preliminary electrical characterization of the devices so formed. The fluidic assembly method is capable of very high yield, in terms of positioning nanostructures at each lithographically-defined location, and of excellent specificity, with essentially no particle deposition between features.

94 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a fluidic assembly method that relies on the local pinning of a moving liquid contact line bylithographically produced topographic features to concentratenanoparticles at those features is presented.
Abstract: The combination of lithography and self-assembly provides apowerful means of organizing solution-synthesized nanostructures for awide variety of applications. We have developed a fluidic assembly methodthat relies on the local pinning of a moving liquid contact line bylithographically produced topographic features to concentratenanoparticles at those features. The final stages of the assembly processare controlled first by long-range immersion capillary forces and then bythe short-range electrostatic and Van der Waal's interactions. We havesuccessfully assembled nanoparticles from 50 nm to 2 nm in size usingthis technique and have also demonstrated the controlled positioning ofmore complex nanotetrapod structures. We have used this process toassemble Au nanoparticles into pre-patterned electrode structures andhave performed preliminary electrical characterization of the devices soformed. The fluidic assembly method is capable of very high yield, interms of positioning nanostructures at each lithographically-definedlocation, and of excellent specificity, with essentially no particledeposition between features.

92 citations