DNA-directed assembly of multicomponent single-walled carbon nanotube devices

Abstract

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are single layer, graphitic molecular tubes with exceptional material properties that are well suited to diverse applications in nanotechnology. They are typically less than 2nm in diameter, but can be centimeters long. They possess very high thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, stiffness, and chemical stability. Individual nanotubes are metallic or semiconducting, depending on chirality (Figure 31.1). Semiconducting SWNTs have finite band gap and intrinsic carrier mobilities on the order of 100,000 cm^2 V^(-1) s^(-16). Both types of SWNTs are 1D quantum wires ENREF_6 with unusual electronic and optoelectronic properties, including ballistic conductance.