Zhen Yao

Bio: Zhen Yao is an academic researcher from University of Texas at Austin. The author has contributed to research in topics: Graphene & Thermal conductivity. The author has an hindex of 15, co-authored 25 publications receiving 3488 citations.

Two-Dimensional Phonon Transport in Supported Graphene

Abstract: The reported thermal conductivity (κ) of suspended graphene, 3000 to 5000 watts per meter per kelvin, exceeds that of diamond and graphite. Thus, graphene can be useful in solving heat dissipation problems such as those in nanoelectronics. However, contact with a substrate could affect the thermal transport properties of graphene. Here, we show experimentally that κ of monolayer graphene exfoliated on a silicon dioxide support is still as high as about 600 watts per meter per kelvin near room temperature, exceeding those of metals such as copper. It is lower than that of suspended graphene because of phonons leaking across the graphene-support interface and strong interface-scattering of flexural modes, which make a large contribution to κ in suspended graphene according to a theoretical calculation.

Thermal conductance and thermopower of an individual single-wall carbon nanotube.

Abstract: We have observed experimentally that the thermal conductance of a 2.76-μm-long individual suspended single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) was very close to the calculated ballistic thermal conductance of a 1-nm-diameter SWCNT without showing signatures of phonon−phonon Umklapp scattering for temperatures between 110 and 300 K. Although the observed thermopower of the SWCNT can be attributed to a linear diffusion contribution and a constant phonon drag effect, there could be an additional contact effect.

Influence of Polymeric Residue on the Thermal Conductivity of Suspended Bilayer Graphene

Abstract: The thermal conductivity (κ) of two bilayer graphene samples each suspended between two microresistance thermometers was measured to be 620 ± 80 and 560 ± 70 W m−1 K−1 at room temperature and exhibits a κ ∝ T1.5 behavior at temperatures (T) between 50 and 125 K. The lower κ than that calculated for suspended graphene along with the temperature dependence is attributed to scattering of phonons in the bilayer graphene by a residual polymeric layer that was clearly observed by transmission electron microscopy.

Coulomb drag of massless fermions in graphene

Abstract: Using a structure consisting of two, independently contacted graphene single layers separated by an ultrathin dielectric, we experimentally measure the Coulomb drag of massless fermions in graphene. At temperatures higher than 50 K, the Coulomb drag follows a temperature and carrier density dependence consistent with the Fermi liquid regime. As the temperature is reduced, the Coulomb drag exhibits giant fluctuations with an increasing amplitude, thanks to the interplay between coherent transport in the graphene layer and interaction between the two layers.

Vibrational Excitations in Single Trimetal-Molecule Transistors

Abstract: Single-molecule transistors incorporating trimetal molecules of Cu3(dpa)4Cl2 and Ni3(dpa)4Cl2 (dpa = 2,2‘-dipyridylamide) have been fabricated. Conductance is measured as a function of bias and gate voltages at low temperature, showing single-electron tunneling behavior through the molecules. Additional structures corresponding to the excitations in the molecules are observed, which can be attributed to intramolecular vibrational excitations coupled to the electron tunneling processes. The energies of the vibrational states are dependent on the redox state of the included molecules.

Superior Thermal Conductivity of Single-Layer Graphene

Abstract: We report the measurement of the thermal conductivity of a suspended single-layer graphene. The room temperature values of the thermal conductivity in the range ∼(4.84 ± 0.44) × 103 to (5.30 ± 0.48) × 103 W/mK were extracted for a single-layer graphene from the dependence of the Raman G peak frequency on the excitation laser power and independently measured G peak temperature coefficient. The extremely high value of the thermal conductivity suggests that graphene can outperform carbon nanotubes in heat conduction. The superb thermal conduction property of graphene is beneficial for the proposed electronic applications and establishes graphene as an excellent material for thermal management.

Graphene and Graphene Oxide: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications

Abstract: There is intense interest in graphene in fields such as physics, chemistry, and materials science, among others. Interest in graphene's exceptional physical properties, chemical tunability, and potential for applications has generated thousands of publications and an accelerating pace of research, making review of such research timely. Here is an overview of the synthesis, properties, and applications of graphene and related materials (primarily, graphite oxide and its colloidal suspensions and materials made from them), from a materials science perspective.

Thermal properties of graphene and nanostructured carbon materials

Abstract: Recent years have seen a rapid growth of interest by the scientific and engineering communities in the thermal properties of materials. Heat removal has become a crucial issue for continuing progress in the electronic industry, and thermal conduction in low-dimensional structures has revealed truly intriguing features. Carbon allotropes and their derivatives occupy a unique place in terms of their ability to conduct heat. The room-temperature thermal conductivity of carbon materials span an extraordinary large range--of over five orders of magnitude--from the lowest in amorphous carbons to the highest in graphene and carbon nanotubes. Here, I review the thermal properties of carbon materials focusing on recent results for graphene, carbon nanotubes and nanostructured carbon materials with different degrees of disorder. Special attention is given to the unusual size dependence of heat conduction in two-dimensional crystals and, specifically, in graphene. I also describe the prospects of applications of graphene and carbon materials for thermal management of electronics.

Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities in Two-Dimensional Materials Beyond Graphene

Abstract: Graphene’s success has shown that it is possible to create stable, single and few-atom-thick layers of van der Waals materials, and also that these materials can exhibit fascinating and technologically useful properties. Here we review the state-of-the-art of 2D materials beyond graphene. Initially, we will outline the different chemical classes of 2D materials and discuss the various strategies to prepare single-layer, few-layer, and multilayer assembly materials in solution, on substrates, and on the wafer scale. Additionally, we present an experimental guide for identifying and characterizing single-layer-thick materials, as well as outlining emerging techniques that yield both local and global information. We describe the differences that occur in the electronic structure between the bulk and the single layer and discuss various methods of tuning their electronic properties by manipulating the surface. Finally, we highlight the properties and advantages of single-, few-, and many-layer 2D materials in...

Thermal Properties of Graphene, Carbon Nanotubes and Nanostructured Carbon Materials

Abstract: Recent years witnessed a rapid growth of interest of scientific and engineering communities to thermal properties of materials. Carbon allotropes and derivatives occupy a unique place in terms of their ability to conduct heat. The room-temperature thermal conductivity of carbon materials span an extraordinary large range – of over five orders of magnitude – from the lowest in amorphous carbons to the highest in graphene and carbon nanotubes. I review thermal and thermoelectric properties of carbon materials focusing on recent results for graphene, carbon nanotubes and nanostructured carbon materials with different degrees of disorder. A special attention is given to the unusual size dependence of heat conduction in two-dimensional crystals and, specifically, in graphene. I also describe prospects of applications of graphene and carbon materials for thermal management of electronics.