Flexoelectricity Driven Fano Resonance in Slotted Carbon Nanotubes for Decoupled Multifunctional Sensing

Abstract

Multifunctionality, interference-free signal readout, and quantum effect are important considerations for flexible sensors equipped within a single unit towards further miniaturization. To address these criteria, we present the slotted carbon nanotube (CNT) junction features tunable Fano resonance driven by flexoelectricity, which could serve as an ideal multimodal sensory receptor. Based on extensive ab initio calculations, we find that the effective Fano factor can be used as a temperature-insensitive extrinsic variable for sensing the bending strain, and the Seebeck coefficient can be used as a strain-insensitive intrinsic variable for detecting temperature. Thus, this dual-parameter permits simultaneous sensing of temperature and strain without signal interference. We further demonstrate the applicability of this slotted junction to ultrasensitive chemical sensing which enables precise determination of donor-type, acceptor-type, and inert molecules. This is due to the enhancement or counterbalance between flexoelectric and chemical gating. Flexoelectric gating would preserve the electron–hole symmetry of the slotted junction whereas chemical gating would break it. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, the slotted CNT junction provides an excellent quantum platform for the development of multistimuli sensation in artificial intelligence at the molecular scale.

Advancements and Prospects of Flexoelectricity

“…Inspired by the organ structure of spider legs, Ren et al introduced a flexoelectric electric field into a biomimetic carbon nanotube split junction, leading to flexoelectric field-driven Fano resonances. 99 Based on this, they designed a decoupled flexoelectric multifunctional sensor. This sensor allows temperature to be measured through the Seebeck coefficient of the split junction, while the haptic feedback is derived from variation of the Fano effective factor.…”

“…This sensor accurately measures the bending angle and movement pattern and exhibits a well-defined linear relationship between the generated flexoelectric current and the bending angle. Inspired by the organ structure of spider legs, Ren et al introduced a flexoelectric electric field into a biomimetic carbon nanotube split junction, leading to flexoelectric field-driven Fano resonances . Based on this, they designed a decoupled flexoelectric multifunctional sensor.…”