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Carbene‐Functionalized Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Their Electrical Properties
Author(s) -
Liu Chao,
Zhang Qing,
Stellacci Francesco,
Marzari Nicola,
Zheng Lianxi,
Zhan Zhaoyao
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201002307
Subject(s) - carbon nanotube , materials science , surface modification , nanotechnology , annealing (glass) , electrical resistivity and conductivity , electrode , chemical engineering , composite material , chemistry , electrical engineering , engineering
Pure metallic single‐walled carbon nanotubes (m‐SWCNTs) are very desirable for many electrode and interconnecting applications. However, the lack of reliable processing techniques to sort m‐SWCNTs from the as‐synthesized SWCNT samples is an obstacle to these applications. The effects of carbene‐based covalent functionalization on the electrical properties of an isolated m‐SWCNT, a semiconducting (s)‐SWCNT, and a mixture network of both m‐ and s‐SWCNTs are reported. For the first time, a semiconducting‐to‐metallic SWCNT transition upon dichlorocarbene functionalization is observed. Interestingly, the transition is reversible upon thermal annealing under ambient conditions. The electrical properties of m‐SWCNTs remain largely unaffected whereas the on‐state conductivity of s‐SWCNTs is greatly reduced by this process, in agreement with the relevant theoretical predictions. These findings could pave the way for fabricating large‐scale SWCNT‐based interconnects and electrodes in full‐carbon integrated circuits.