Carbon Nanotubes

Semiconducting carbon nanotubes (sc-CNTs) are a highly attractive nanomaterial for next-generation, easy-to-fabricate, green electronics. Thanks to their high carrier mobilities for both electrons and holes, sc-CNTs have considerable potential to deliver high-performance thin-film transistors (TFTs) and circuits. Moreover, their facile and low-temperature processing via solution-based methods (e.g., printing) makes it possible to realize inexpensive sc-CNT Large-Area Electronics on flexible plastic substrates.

At the Pecunia Research Group, we seek to harness solution-deposited sc-CNTs into ultralow-power (< 1 nW) and ultralow-voltage electronics (< 1 V), which is in high demand for emerging batteryless applications—such as place-and-forget devices for health monitoring and remote sensors for infrastructure monitoring. Our approach involves the development of novel processing, device, and materials concepts that enable us to tailor the electronic properties of sc-CNT networks and their interfaces. We pursue this endeavor while relying on state-of-the-art deposition methods as well as detailed physical and materials characterization. Our ultimate goal is to realize highly sustainable sc-CNT electronics that can function with the power available from compact ambient energy harvesters (e.g., solar cells, thermoelectric modules).

Representative Publications

L. Portilla*, J. Zhao†, Y. Wang, L. Sun, F. Li, M. Robin, M. Wei, Z. Cui, L. G. Occhipinti†, T. D. Anthopoulos†, V. Pecunia†*, Ambipolar Deep-Subthreshold Printed-Carbon-Nanotube Transistors for Ultralow-Voltage and Ultralow-Power Electronics, ACS Nano, 14, 10, 14036–14046, 2020. DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c06619

L. Portilla, J. Zhao†, J. Zhao, L. Occhipinti, V. Pecunia†, Ambipolar Carbon Nanotube Transistors with Hybrid Nanodielectric for Low-Voltage CMOS-like Electronics, Nano Futures, 5, 025001, 2021. DOI: 10.1088/2399-1984/abf6b1