Large-scale integration of single-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene into sensors and devices using dielectrophoresis: A review

Abstract

Device and sensor miniaturization has enabled extraordinary functionality and sensitivity enhancements over the last decades while considerably reducing fabrication costs and energy consumption. The traditional materials and process technologies used today will, however, ultimately run into fundamental limitations. Combining large-scale directed assembly methods with highsymmetry low-dimensional carbon nanomaterials is expected to contribute toward overcoming shortcomings of traditional process technologies and pave the way for commercially viable device nanofabrication. The purpose of this article is to review the guided dielectrophoretic integration of individual single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)-and graphene-based devices and sensors targeting continuous miniaturization. The review begins by introducing the electrokinetic framework of the dielectrophoretic deposition process, then discusses the importance of high-quality solutions, followed by the site-and type-selective integration of SWNTs and graphene with emphasis on experimental methods, and concludes with an overview of dielectrophoretically assembled devices and sensors to date. The field of dielectrophoretic device integration is filled with opportunities to research emerging materials, bottom-up integration processes, and promising applications. The ultimate goal is to fabricate ultra-small functional devices at high throughput and low costs, which require only minute operation power.

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the superior contact properties of dielectrophoretically processed graphene and tantalum nitride electrodes

“…Graphene flakes where deposited on top of the metal electrodes by dielectrophoresis (DEP), which is a large‐scale high‐yield process for integration and assembly of soluble ultrathin two‐dimensional structures such as graphene dispersed in (aqueous) solvents . In DEP a force is exerted on a suspended particle (generally in a liquid) when subjected to a non‐uniform electric field.…”

“…In DEP a force is exerted on a suspended particle (generally in a liquid) when subjected to a non‐uniform electric field. The strength of the force acting on the suspension depends on the medium and on the particle's electrical properties, the particle shape and size, as well as on the frequency of the electric field . DEP is compatible with large‐scale production and with the fabrication of high‐density field effect transistors at low cost .…”

Carbon Nanotube based Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor for Wide Range Pressure Sensing Applications - A Review

“…This was an era when a novel technique called Dielectrophoresis was employed to form MWNT bundles across the electrodes. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a phenomenon in which a force is exerted on a suspended particle, generally in a liquid, when it is subjected to a non uniform electric field [12]. It was discovered by Pohl in 1951.…”

Chemically exfoliated large-area two-dimensional flakes of molybdenum disulfide for device applications

“…Examples of such methods include scalable fabrication of electrical devices on a variety of substrates using dielectrophoresis and site-specific chemical anchoring techniques. 29,30 In these cases the individual layers of the material are obtained in solution by exfoliation. The advantages offered by solution processing of layered materials include access to versatile 2D material by chemical modification and easy handling before the fabrication of the desired devices.…”

“…A non-uniform electrical field generated between the electrodes leads to positive dielectrophoretic force acting on the flakes in dispersion. 30 As a result flakes are pulled towards the electrode gap and immobilize forming a bridge between the pair of electrodes. A schematic of the chip layout and the trapping configuration is shown in Figure 3(a).…”