Fabrication and electrical properties of highly organized single-walled carbon nanotube networks for electronic device applications

Abstract

In this study, the fabrication and electrical properties of aligned single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) networks using a template-based fluidic assembly process are presented. This complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-friendly process allows the formation of highly aligned lateral nanotube networks on SiO2/Si substrates, which can be easily integrated onto existing Si-based structures. To measure outstanding electrical properties of organized SWCNT devices, interfacial contact resistance between organized SWCNT devices and Ti/Au electrodes needs to be improved since conventional lithographic cleaning procedures are insufficient for the complete removal of lithographic residues in SWCNT network devices. Using optimized purification steps and controlled developing time, the interfacial contact resistance between SWCNTs and contact electrodes of Ti/Au is reached below 2% of the overall resistance in two-probe SWCNT platform. This structure can withstand current densities ∼ 107 A·cm-2, equivalent to copper at similar dimensions. Also failure current density improves with decreasing network width.