DNA strands have been used as templates for the self-assembly of smooth and conductive cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) nanowires of diameter 12-23 nm and whose length is determined by the template (16 μm for λ-DNA). A combination of spectroscopic, diffraction and probe microscopy techniques showed that these nanowires comprise single crystallites of Cu₂O bound to the DNA molecules which fused together over time in a process analogous to Ostwald ripening, but driven by the free energy of interaction with the template as well as the surface tension. Electrical characterization of the nanowires by a non-contact method, scanned conductance microscopy and by contact mode conductive AFM showed the wires are electrically conductive. The conductivity estimated from the AFM cross section and the zero-bias conductance in conductive AFM experiments was 2.2-3.3 S cm⁻¹. These Cu₂O nanowires are amongst the thinnest reported and show evidence of strong quantum confinement in electronic spectra.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0957-4484/23/7/075601 | DOI Listing |
Small Methods
December 2024
Institute of Advanced Synthesis (IAS) and School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Centre for Advanced Materials, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China.
The selective Au deposition at the Au-substrate interface is known to give ultrathin Au nanowires and the synthesis usually employs strong thiol-based ligands. It is shown that, by increasing the rate of Au deposition, weak cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) can be made to behave like a strong ligand, so that it induces Active Surface Growth and gives Au nanowires. The ligand strength also depends on the packing interactions in the ligand layer, in the order of CTAB, CTAB, and CTAB.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSmall Methods
December 2024
Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, No. 68 Wenchang Road, Kunming, 650093, China.
Controllably modulating the structure of transition-metal chalcogenides (TMCs) from 2D to 1D and tuning their electronic properties has drawn particular attention currently due to their remarkable properties and potential applications. In this work, by precisely controlling the chemical concentration of Te atoms, the transformation from the 2D honeycomb AgTe monolayer to high-quality and well-defined 1D AgTe nanowires on the Ag(111) substrate has been successfully achieved. The combination of scanning tunneling microscopy measurements and first-principles calculations has confirmed that the mechanism underlying the entire dimensional transformation lies in the directional movement of Ag atoms in the 2D AgTe monolayer regulated by the concentration of Te atoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrecis Chem
December 2024
Department of Chemistry, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Biomimetic Materials & Chemistry, Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Biomimetic Materials, Division of Nanomaterials & Chemistry, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
One-dimensional (1D) functional nanowires are widely used as nanoscale building blocks for assembling advanced nanodevices due to their unique functionalities. However, previous research has mainly focused on nanowire functionality, while neglecting the structural stability and damage resistance of nanowire assemblies, which are critical for the long-term operation of nanodevices. Biomaterials achieve excellent mechanical stability and damage resistance through sophisticated structural design.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Macromol
December 2024
Plant Fiber Material Science Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, School of Light Industry and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Biorefinery, Guangzhou 510640, PR China.
The development of flexible, intelligent, and lightweight optoelectronic devices based on flexible transparent conductive electrodes (FTCEs) utilizing silver nanowires (AgNWs) has garnered increasing attention. However, achieving low surface resistance, strong adhesion to the flexible substrate, low surface roughness, and green degradability remains a challenge. Here, a composite electrode combining natural polymer cellulose nanofibers (TCNFs) with AgNWs was prepared.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
December 2024
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 639798, Singapore, Singapore.
The outstanding performance of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) has expanded their application areas from quantum technologies to astronomy, space communication, imaging, and LiDAR. As a result, there has been a surge in demand for these devices, that commercial products cannot readily meet. Consequently, more research and development efforts are being directed towards establishing in-house SNSPD manufacturing, leveraging existing nano-fabrication capabilities that can be customized and fine-tuned for specific needs.
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