High-Purity Semiconducting Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: A Key Enabling Material in Emerging Electronics

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.7b00234
• Publication Date: 2017-09-13T21:52:16Z
• Authors: Jacques Lefebvre; Jianfu Ding; Zhao Li; Paul Finnie; Gregory Lopinski; Patrick R. L. Mal...
• Keywords: Carbon fibers

ConspectusSemiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (sc-SWCNTs) are emerging as a promising material for high-performance, high-density devices well low-cost, large-area macroelectronics produced via additive manufacturing methods such roll-to-roll printing. Proof-of-concept demonstrations have indicated the potential of sc-SWCNTs digital electronics, radiofrequency circuits, radiation hard memory, improved sensors, and flexible, stretchable, conformable electronics. Advances toward commercial applications bring numerous opportunities in SWCNT materials development characterization fabrication processes printing technologies.Commercialization electronics will require large quantities sc-SWCNTs, challenge science is scalable synthesis, purification, enrichment methods. While few synthesis routes shown results making near-monochiral SWCNTs, gram available only small-diameter which underperform transistors. Most yield mixtures typically 30% metallic 70% semiconducting, necessitating extraction from their counterparts high purity using postsynthetic Numerous to obtain high-purity raw soot been developed, including density-gradient ultracentrifugation, chromatography, aqueous two-phase extraction, selective DNA or polymer wrapping. By these (termed sorting enrichment), >99% sc-SWCNT content can be achieved. Currently, all approaches drawbacks limitations with respect applications, excessive dilution, expensive consumables, ionic impurity content. Excess amount dispersant common that hinders direct inclusion into electronic devices. At present, conjugated may represent most practical route sc-SWCNTs. use polymers π-conjugated backbone, >99.9% dispersed organic solvents simple sonication centrifugation process. With 1000 times less excipient flexibility accommodate broad range diverse constructs, inks readily deployable solution-based aerosol spray, inkjet, gravure. Further gains purity, among other attributes, possible better understanding structure–property relationships govern extraction.This Account covers three interlinked topics electronics: metrology, enrichment, transistors fabricated solution processes. First, we describe how spectroscopic techniques optical absorption, fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy applied assessment. Stringent requirements pushing new levels while serving an important driver quantitative metrology. Next, highlight recent progress process polymers, special consideration given effect doping on mechanism. Finally, developments sc-SWCNT-based described, emphasis performance utilizing random networks semiconducting channel material. Challenges advances associated polymer-based dielectrics unique context presented. Such transistor packages enabled realization fully printed transparent even stretchable result excellent electrical mechanical properties