. 24/7 Space News .
CHIP TECH
Hybrid heterostructures with programmable potentials
by Staff Writers
Cambridge UK (SPX) May 09, 2017


Self-assembled supramolecular structures can be used to tailor electronic and optical properties of graphene, leading to new, hybrid heterostructures with programmable potentials. Credit: P. Samori/Strasbourg

Stacking thin layers of graphene and related materials (GRMs) leads to heterostructure devices with a variety of different electronic and optical properties, which can be tailored by careful design of the stack. Now, researchers from the Graphene Flagship have added a new option for tailoring the electronic properties, using molecular monolayers to create controllable periodic potentials on the surface of graphene.

The research, published in Nature Communications, paves the way for new materials with specially designed electrical, magnetic, piezoelectric and optical functionalities.

Working at Flagship partner institutes the University of Strasbourg (France), CNRS (France), the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Germany) and Dresden Technical University (Germany), and in collaboration with the University of Mons (Belgium) who are not involved in the Graphene Flagship, the researchers used organic molecules that self-assembled into ordered structures on the surface of graphene.

This supramolecular strategy could be applied to other materials to create a new class of hybrid organic-inorganic materials with fully controllable structural and electronic properties.

Programmable Potentials
The researchers used a bottom-up approach to create the hybrid materials, allowing the molecular building blocks to self-assemble into a layer of repeating units that varied in one direction. They found that the molecular layer could significantly affect the electrical properties of graphene, changing the behaviour of graphene field-effect transistor devices.

This modulation could lead to new types of devices which allow current to flow in restricted channels. Paolo Samori (University of Strasbourg) is the Deputy Leader for the Graphene Flagship's Functional Forms and Coatings Work Package, and was involved in the work.

"The mechanical superposition of different layered crystals has been proven to be a route towards the fabrication of heterostructures featuring 2D periodic potentials. Here, we showed that using supramolecular lattices makes it possible to tailor 1D periodic potentials in the resulting organic-inorganic hybrid heterostructures, thereby endowing anisotropic properties to these otherwise isotropic materials," he said.

The molecules consist of a long-chain tail and a reactive head with a small electric field caused by unequal distribution of the electrons in the head. In the self-assembly of the supramolecular lattice, the molecules line up next to each other, with the heads and tails lying in ordered rows (see illustration).

The electric field of the heads influences the underlying graphene, while the regions covered by tails remain unaffected. The presence of the molecules leads to a periodic variation in the electric field in 1D, which can alter the behaviour of electric current in the graphene.

The properties of the molecule determine the specifics of the periodic potential. Using three different types of molecules, the researchers showed that the potentials can be fully controlled, with the size and orientation of the electric field in the head of the molecule determining the strength and type of effect in the graphene. By carefully designing the molecular layer, the electronic properties of the resulting hybrid structure can be fully tailored.

Xinliang Feng (TU Dresden), Leader of the Functional Forms and Coatings Work Package, and co-author of the work, added "One can surely foresee the fabrication of artificial hybrid heterostructures exhibiting novel electrical, magnetic, piezoelectric and optical functionalities by taking full advantage of the infinite degrees of freedom offered by the design of the molecular building blocks."

New Hybrid Materials
This new approach to device design could be extended to other GRMs, enabling more complex multilayer heterostructures with new properties. For example, in semiconductor transition metal dichalcogenides, the periodic potentials could lead to a series of nanoscale junctions with distinct optical properties. "Ultimately, this could pave the way towards systems with unconventional physical and chemical properties for opto-electronics," said Samori.

Vincenzo Palermo (CNR, Italy), Leader of the Graphene Flagship's Composites Work Package, commented "Scientists have always tried hard to tune the electrical properties of graphene. The Graphene Flagship demonstrated, with this and other works, that chemistry can be a powerful tool to create beautiful, self-assembled structures on graphene, modifying its nanoscale properties using light or (electro)chemical stimuli."

This result demonstrates the wide potential of hybrid systems that are yet to be fully explored. Andrea Ferrari (University of Cambridge, UK), is the Science and Technology Officer of the Graphene Flagship and Chair of its Management Panel.

He added "The Graphene Flagship has always been, since its start, about the entire family of graphene, related layered materials and hybrid systems. The latter have not been yet fully investigated, and this work represents an interesting proof of principle, showing how supramolecular chemistry opens another dimension in the already wide space covered by the properties of GRMs."

Research paper

CHIP TECH
Dawn of organic single crystal electronics
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) May 03, 2017
Researchers at the Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences (Japan) have developed a method for high performance doping of organic single crystal. Furthermore, they succeeded in the Hall effect measurement of the crystal - the world's first case. The research has been published in the Advanced Materials. Controlling "holes" and "electrons" responsible for el ... read more

Related Links
Graphene Flagship
Computer Chip Architecture, Technology and Manufacture
Nano Technology News From SpaceMart.com


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

CHIP TECH
12 Scientist-Astronaut Candidates Graduate at Embry-Riddle Through Project PoSSUM

Students Taste Sweet Smell of Success in Culinary Challenge

Honeywell And Paragon To Create Life Support Technology For Future NASA Space Missions

Elon Musk teases future plans at TED

CHIP TECH
Reaction Engines begins construction of UK rocket engine test facility

Arianespace orbits telecom satellites for Brazil and South Korea

Strike-delayed European rocket launch to go ahead

Test site for ESA-backed airbreathing engine

CHIP TECH
NASA Rover Curiosity Samples Active Linear Dune on Mars

Is Anything Tough Enough to Survive on Mars

Japan aims to uncover how moons of Mars formed

Several drives put opportunity closer to 'Perseverance Valley'

CHIP TECH
China to conduct several manned space flights around 2020

Reach for the Stars: China Plans to Ramp Up Space Flight Activity

China's cargo spacecraft completes in-orbit refueling

China courts international coalition set up to promote space cooperation

CHIP TECH
Allied Minds' portfolio company BridgeSat raises $6 million in Series A financing

Blue Sky Network Targets Key Markets For Iridium SATCOM Solutions

How Outsourcing Your Satellite Related Services Saves You Time and Money

ViaSat-2 Satellite to Launch on June 1

CHIP TECH
Researchers develop eco-friendly 4-in-1 catalyst

Fabrication technology in the fourth dimension

First result from Jefferson Lab's upgraded CEBAF opens door to exploring universal glue

Researchers develop recycling for carbon fiber composites

CHIP TECH
Lasers shed light on the inner workings of the giant larvacean

SOFIA Confirms Nearby Planetary System Is Similar to Our Own

Research Center A Hub For Origins of Life Studies

Nearby Star Confirmed as Good Model of Our Early Solar System

CHIP TECH
The PI's Perspective: No Sleeping Back on Earth!

ALMA investigates 'DeeDee,' a distant, dim member of our solar system

Nap Time for New Horizons

Hubble spots auroras on Uranus









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.