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Categories: advanced materials, nanotechnology

BSA 10-11: Assembly of Ordered Carbon Shells on Semiconducting Nanomaterials

BNL Reference Number: BSA 10-11

Patent Status: U.S. Patent Number 8,278,124 was issued on October 2, 2012

Summary

This high-resolution transmission electron micrograph shows the carbon encapsulant layers formed on germanium in the presence of gold.

Semiconducting nanowires rarely develop a protective coating in situ, leaving the surface vulnerable to defects and contaminants. By encapsulating them in the growth chamber with a stable compound, not only is the surface protected from environmental contaminants, but deleterious surface electronic states are minimized.

Description

The invention involves a method for encapsulating semiconductor nanowires with inert carbon shells without modifying the nanowires' electrical and optical properties. Key to the formation of ordered graphite shells is the presence of nanoclusters of metal on the surface of the nanowires. These metal clusters induce local formation of graphitic carbon in well-defined layers. The local carbon nuclei then continue to grow, spreading to uniformly cover the entire nanowire. The process takes place at moderate temperatures, 400-500°C, in the presence of sufficient carbon.

Journal Publication

• Au-Induced Encapsulation of Ge Nanowires in Protective C Shells (.pdf)

Have Questions?

For more information about this technology, contact Kimberley Elcess, (631) 344-4151.