Nanoparticle/nanotube-based nanoelectronic devices and chemically-directed assembly thereof

• US 7,893,513 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2007
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rice University
• Original Assignee: Rice University
• Inventors: Schmidt, Howard K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stark; Jarrett J
• Application Number:
  US11/910,521
• Publication Number:
  US 20100133513A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,481 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 257/431
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 40/00 Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/15 Nano-sized carbon materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/035227 the quantum structure being quantum wires, or nanorods carbon nanotubes H10K85/211
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/1085 the devices being of the Metal-Semiconductor-Metal [MSM] Schottky barrier type
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 10/701 Organic molecular electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/225 comprising substituents
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/712 formed from plural layers of nanosized material, e.g. stacked structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/743 having specified tube end structure, e.g. close-ended shell or open-ended tube
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/806 with exterior chemical attachment

Abstract

According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a nanoelectronic device based on a nanostructure that may include a nanotube with first and second ends, a metallic nanoparticle attached to the first end, and an insulating nanoparticle attached to the second end. The nanoelectronic device may include additional nanostructures so a to form a plurality of nanostructures comprising the first nanostructure and the additional nanostructures. The plurality of nanostructures may arranged in a network comprising a plurality of edges and a plurality of vertices, wherein each edge comprises a nanotube and each vertex comprises at least one insulating nanoparticle and at least one metallic nanoparticle adjacent the insulating nanoparticle. The combination of at least one edge and at least one vertex comprises a diode. The device may be an optical rectenna.

Claims

1. A nanoelectronic device, comprising:

a first nanostructure, comprising;

a nanotube having first and second opposing ends;

a metallic nanoparticle attached to the first end; and

an insulating nanoparticle attached to the second end.

2. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 1, wherein the nanotube is conducting.

3. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 1, wherein the nanotube absorbs light.

4. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 3, wherein the nanotube comprises an antenna.

5. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 4, wherein the length between the first and second ends is about half a wavelength of the light.

6. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 5, wherein the light comprises at least one of visible and infrared radiation.

7. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 1, wherein the insulating nanoparticle comprises a metal oxide.

8. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 1, wherein the metallic nanoparticle comprises elemental metal.

9. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 1, wherein the nanoelectronic device further comprises additional nanostructures so a to form a plurality of nanostructures comprising the first nanostructure and the additional nanostructures.

10. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of nanostructures is arranged in a network comprising a plurality of edges and a plurality of vertices, wherein each edge comprises a nanotube and each vertex comprises at least one insulating nanoparticle and at least one metallic nanoparticle adjacent the insulating nanoparticle.

11. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 10, wherein the combination of at least one edge and at least one vertex comprises a diode.

12. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 9, wherein the device is an optical rectenna.

13. A nanoelectronic device comprising an optical rectenna comprising a plurality of nano structures arranged so as to form a plurality of nanoscale diodes with integrated antennas, wherein each nanostructure comprises:

a conducting nanotube having first and second opposing ends;

a metallic nanoparticle attached to the first end, wherein the first nanoparticle comprises elemental metal; and

an insulating nanoparticle attached to the second end, wherein the insulating nanoparticle comprises a metal oxide.

14. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 13, wherein the conducting nanotube is metallic.

15. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 13, wherein the conducting nanotube is semi-metallic.

16. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 13, wherein the conducting nanotube is semi-conducting.

17. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 13, wherein the conducting nanotube is a single-walled nanotube.

18. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 13, wherein the conducting nanotube is a multi-walled nanotube.