Effect of Surface Chemistry on Electronic Properties of Carbon Nanotube Network Thin Film Transistors

Thin films of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are a viable nanomaterial for next generation sensors, transistors, and electrodes for solar cells and displays. Despite their remarkable properties, challenges in synthesis and processing have hindered integration in current electronics. Challenges include the inability to precisely assemble and control the deposition of SWNT films on a variety of surfaces and the lack of understanding of the transport properties of these films. Here, we utilize an optimized “dry transfer” technique that facilitates the complete intact transfer of SWNT films between different surfaces. We then show the effect of surface chemistry on the electronic properties of SWNT films. By isolating the effect of the surface, we gain insight into the fundamental transport properties of SWNTs on surfaces with different chemical functionalities. Thin film transistor (TFT) characteristics, corroborated with μ-Raman spectroscopy, show that by using different surface chemical functionalities it is possible to alter the electronic properties of SWNT films. This opens up another route to tune the electronic properties of integrated SWNT films.